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When inadequate lighting, broken cameras, or a lack of trained security allows violence to occur, a Washington, DC negligent security lawyer at Regan Zambri Long represents people injured by the property owner’s failure to take reasonable steps to protect them from foreseeable harm.
Our award-winning negligence lawyers we have recovered over $1 billion for injured clients by building cases that show how preventable risks were ignored. We bring nearly 200 years of combined legal experience to complex negligence claims, led by partners who are board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
We front all case costs, work with experienced investigators and security experts, and prepare every claim with the expectation it may proceed to trial. More than 100 5 star Google reviews speak to the experience clients have working with our team from the first call through resolution of their case.
Have you been injured due to inadequate security in Washington, DC? Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will personally get back to you. We’re available 24/7, and there’s no fee unless we win your case.
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Negligent security claims often fall into the premises liability category of personal injury cases. A property owner is responsible for being aware of warning signs and providing security for guests, patrons, and tenants.
When a crime occurs in a parking lot, apartment complex, or even outside a business, the property owner may be liable if evidence shows that reasonable security measures could have prevented the incident. National crime data helps explain why foreseeability matters in these cases. In 2024, the Bureau of Justice Statistics recorded 2,209,150 victims of stranger violence across the United States, reinforcing that violent acts by unknown offenders are a well-documented risk that property owners must reasonably account for when evaluating security needs.
Victims can file a premises liability claim to recover compensation for injuries and damages when an owner or manager does not provide adequate security. Talk to the DC premises liability lawyers at Regan Zambri Long for a free case review.
Metro areas, such as Washington, DC, often become hot spots for crime–especially in areas where security is lax. In 2024, the DC police reported 3,470 violent crimes in the district, decreasing by 29% in 2025 to 2,476. While not all of these are cases of negligence, the trend they highlight shows that owners and managers should reasonably anticipate violent crimes, which include homicide, sex abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, and robbery.
Washington, DC, follows contributory negligence standards in premises liability and personal injury claims. This means that anyone found to be at all responsible for their injuries is barred from collecting compensation. Hiring an experienced attorney is your best defense against misplaced liability.
12–301 of the DC Code gives victims three years to file a personal injury case against the liable party to collect compensation.
Premises security works to deter and interrupt criminal activity for the safety and well-being of those who use the space. Various factors protect different spaces, and not every measure is effective for every location.
However, some of the most common safety measures and failures include:
If you are injured on someone else’s property because of negligent security, the responsible party must be held accountable for their negligence. Contact a lawyer specializing in inadequate security claims at Regan Zambri Long today to schedule a free consultation.
If you or your loved one is the victim of a crime in Washington, DC, it is not a guarantee that you can file an inadequate security claim. You must prove that the property owner failed to provide adequate security measures and that the crime was predictable. To prove negligence, your legal team must be able to prove that:
When property owners fail to ensure the safety of their Washington, DC, premises, you are entitled to compensation for your losses.
Property managers and owners can often be held liable for negligent security. Reasonable security measures, such as security guards, cameras, alarm systems, and fences, protect guests, customers, and tenants in private and public spaces.
Proving that the property or business owner could have foreseen the criminal activity can be more challenging. Injured victims can collect the compensation they deserve by partnering with security experts who can speak to crime trends and probability.
You are entitled to financial compensation after an assault or violent crime. You can claim economic damages such as medical expenses and medical bills for physical injuries, property damage, and financial losses. You can also claim non-economic damages such as mental anguish and emotional trauma.
An experienced lawyer will help you calculate the value of your case and hold the negligent property owner accountable through legal action.
Hiring a DC negligent security lawyer gives you access to security experts and legal representation to ensure that you receive a fair settlement.
Attorneys and courts will consider reasonable care when determining the adequacy of safety measures. Reasonable care is the legal idea that the average owner or manager would have foreseen the crime risk and taken action to discourage or prevent it.
Adequate measures must match the degree of caution an ordinary person would rationally take for themselves.
Victims of negligent security can sustain a variety of injuries due to inadequate safety measures in public or private settings. These injuries can range from physical to psychological, and include:
These injuries underscore the importance of proper security measures in preventing harm and ensuring the safety of individuals in various environments.
You have a right to safety, whether in private or public. If a property owner breached their responsibility to provide a safe premise, you are legally entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.
The negligent security lawyers at Regan Zambri Long can take on your claim and hold all responsible parties accountable for their negligence. That work is led by senior partner Patrick Regan, described by Washingtonian Magazine as “one of the most successful advocates for clients in negligence.” We will pursue the maximum compensation you are legally allowed and won’t require any payment until we’ve made a recovery in your favor.
Our commitment is backed by national and local recognition. Regan Zambri Long is consistently named among the Best Law Firms in America, and all six of our partners are recognized on Lawdragon’s list of the 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers nationwide. Individual honors further reflect that standing, with Paul Cornoni recently receiving the District of Columbia Bar Association’s 2025 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year award for his work on behalf of the District’s most vulnerable residents.
Our partners have also been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers, with multiple Lawyer of the Year honors awarded to Paul Cornoni, Patrick Regan, and Salvatore Zambri. Those same three partners all ranked among Super Lawyers’ Top 100 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC, with Salvatore Zambri honored among the District’s Top 10 Super Lawyers.
Our clients know we are Washington, DC’s best premises liability lawyers, having recovered millions of dollars for victims, including a $4.3 million jury verdict for clients injured when leaving a DC nightclub.
If you or a loved one has been injured in DC, let Regan Zambri Long fight for your justice. Schedule a free case evaluation today by calling 202-978-4145.
Negligent security claims often arise at apartment complexes, nightclubs, parking garages, shopping centers, and hotels. Any property that invites the public but fails to provide reasonable protection can be held liable.
In Washington, DC, under §12–301 of the Code of the District of Columbia, you generally have three years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Acting quickly is important so that evidence and witness testimony are preserved.
You need to show that the property owner owed you a duty of care, failed to provide adequate security, that the crime was foreseeable, and that your injuries resulted from this failure.
Victims may recover economic damages (such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage) and noneconomic damages (such as emotional distress, PTSD, and pain and suffering).
DC follows strict contributory negligence laws—meaning if you are found even slightly at fault, you may lose the right to recover compensation. The skilled attorneys at Regan Zambri Long can build a strong case, consult experts, and protect your rights.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.