Unfortunately, you can be a victim of assault in many places in Texas, even in your own apartment complex. When it happens, you may wonder if an apartment complex is liable for an assault. A stranger in the parking lot, a drunk neighbor, or even a belligerent fellow renter can all perpetrate this crime against you. Though the person may be arrested, you may have injuries, medical expenses, and other damages that you want to sue for. That is when you need the help of Sugar Land personal injury lawyer Adam Capetillo.
If you’re assaulted in an apartment building in Sugar Land, you may be able to sue the person who assaulted you, but you may also be able to sue the apartment complex. Under Texas law, an apartment complex is only liable for assault or other crimes under very specific circumstances. That is why you need to consult a personal injury lawyer. In Sugar Land, Personal Injury attorney Adam Capetillo can investigate and determine whether you have a claim against the apartment complex.
Was the Assault Foreseeable?
In Texas, an apartment complex may be liable if the assault was foreseeable. This means they should take appropriate security measures so that residents are not at risk for an attack. The apartment complex has a duty to establish adequate security measures.
Texas premises liability law is complicated, and you need a good personal injury lawyer familiar with premises liability laws to identified who is responsible for compensating you for expensive medical bills, long-term rehabilitation services, lost wages, and other related damages. Attorney Capetillo is a lawyer who can guide you through the complex legal process while fighting for the fair and full compensation you deserve.
What is Foreseeability Under Texas Premises Liability Law?
Under Texas law, a crime was foreseeable if there were factors present that would cause a reasonably prudent person to anticipate that a crime was likely to occur. For example, the court will consider whether previous crimes happened on the property to determine whether the assault was foreseeable. It will consider factors such as:
• the similarity of these crimes,
• how recently the crimes occurred,
• how often criminal conduct has occurred in the past, and
• the publicity of the other crimes.
A Texas Apartment Complex Could Be Liable for Crime-Related Injuries
After establishing that the assault was foreseeable, you must prove that the apartment complex failed in its duty to provide adequate security. A landlord isn’t required to have specific security equipment, but they must take reasonable measures. Below is a list of some of the conditions that could lead to an apartment complex’s liability in Sugar Land:
• Failure to hire a security guard,
• Broken security cameras,
• Broken fences and gates,
• Inadequate lighting,
• Broken locks, and
• Defective entry alarms.
What if an Employee of the Apartment Complex Assaulted Me?
Additionally, the apartment complex may be liable for your assault if it was committed by one of its employees. Like any other Texas employer, an apartment complex could be liable for negligent hiring. Examples of negligent hiring include failing to conduct appropriate background checks or knowingly hiring an employee with violent tendencies.
Your Sugar Land Personal Injury Lawyer Adam Capetillo
If you or a loved one were assaulted in an apartment complex, you should reach out to qualified Sugar Land personal injury lawyer Adam Capetillo as soon as possible. You may be able to sue the perpetrator as well as the apartment complex. Attorney Capetillo will be able to help you determine if you can sue and who. He will protect your rights and get you the maximum compensation available. Call Capetillo Law Firm today at (346) 249-5544 for a free consultation.