Serving assault victims
in Durham and across NC
When weak security leads to an attack, the property owner may be at fault. Our Durham negligent security lawyers fight for victims and their families.
You shouldn’t have to worry about getting attacked, assaulted, or robbed while visiting an apartment complex, hotel, nightclub, or parking lot. When property owners know their premises are dangerous and fail to do anything about it—that’s not just irresponsible.
That’s negligence.
At Johnson & Groninger PLLC, we help people in Durham and throughout North Carolina who have been hurt due to inadequate security. Whether you were attacked in your apartment building, assaulted outside a club, or injured during a robbery in a parking garage, you may have the right to compensation.
Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim. Property owners have a legal duty to provide a safe environment for lawful visitors, especially when crime is foreseeable. If they know (or should know) that there’s a risk of violence and they don’t act—like by installing lighting, hiring security, or repairing locks—they can be held liable.
These aren’t just accidents. These are failures to protect people from known dangers.
We’ve seen cases across a wide range of locations in Durham and beyond. These include:
If you were the victim of a violent crime in one of these places—and it could have been prevented with basic safety measures—you may have a case.
Every case is different, but some common failures include:
Property owners can’t control the actions of every criminal—but when they ignore obvious risks, they put everyone in danger.
Negligent security cases often involve violent crime. That includes:
Victims may suffer:
We’ve represented people whose entire lives changed because someone failed to take basic security precautions. These cases aren’t just about compensation—they’re about standing up for your right to feel safe.
Negligent security cases can be challenging. You’re not just proving that a crime happened—you’re proving that it could and should have been prevented. And in North Carolina, there’s an added obstacle: contributory negligence.
If the property owner can show that you were even 1% at fault—for example, by claiming you were trespassing or intoxicated—they may try to deny your claim entirely.
That’s why it’s critical to work with a law firm that knows how to gather the right evidence, retain expert witnesses, and anticipate every defense the insurance company will throw at you.
From day one, our team begins preparing your case as if it’s going to trial. Here’s what we do:
We gather security footage, incident reports, 911 call logs, maintenance records, and crime history in the area. We consult security experts and crime prevention professionals.
Property owners aren’t expected to predict every crime—but they are expected to act when there’s a known risk. We prove they should have seen the danger coming—and didn’t do enough to stop it.
We work with doctors, therapists, and life-care planners to understand how this incident impacted your life—physically, emotionally, and financially.
If a criminal investigation is happening alongside your injury case, we coordinate evidence gathering without disrupting the prosecution. Our focus is always on your recovery.
In a negligent security lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for:
If the property owner showed willful or reckless indifference, you may also qualify for punitive damages.
Depending on the situation, your claim may be filed against:
These are not simple cases with one bad actor. Often, several parties share responsibility—and we make sure they’re all held accountable.
Negligent security isn’t just a legal term—it’s a real, preventable failure that leaves people hurt, traumatized, and searching for answers. You shouldn’t have to suffer in silence. Let us help you take the next step toward healing and justice.
Based in Durham. Fighting for victims across North Carolina.
Free consultations. No fee unless we win.
If you were injured on someone else’s property during a crime, and there’s evidence the property owner could have prevented it with reasonable security measures, you may have a case. Contact us for a free consultation—we’ll evaluate the details.
Yes. The criminal (assailant) can be prosecuted by the state. But the civil claim is about the property owner’s failure to prevent foreseeable danger. That’s where we come in.
If your landlord failed to provide basic safety—like secure locks, working lights, or front gate access—they may be liable. Especially if there were prior complaints or reports of criminal activity in the area.
In North Carolina, the statute of limitations is typically 3 years from the date of the injury. However, early investigation is critical—security footage and eyewitnesses disappear fast.
Maybe—but most cases settle out of court once we build a strong case. If we do go to trial, we’ll prepare you every step of the way.
Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee basis. That means:
We represent clients statewide, with offices in Durham and Charlotte. Whether you’ve been injured at work or hurt in a crash, we’ll meet you where you are.
