Negligent Security

Negligent Security Lawyer in Braintree

Serious Injury Cases on the South Shore, Handled by a Firm That’s Been Here Since 1985

When a property owner’s failure to maintain adequate security leads to an assault, robbery, or other violent crime, the victim has legal options beyond the criminal justice system. Kenney & Conley represents people seriously injured through negligent security on the South Shore, building cases against the property owners and managers whose failures made those crimes possible. We’ve operated out of Braintree since 1985, and we handle these claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning no fee unless we recover compensation for you.

Free consultations are available by phone or virtually. We serve clients in English and Spanish, and our team is reachable 24/7.

If you or a family member was injured due to inadequate security at a commercial property, apartment complex, or parking area, call us today at (781) 488-1190 to discuss your case at no cost.

What Negligent Security Means Under Massachusetts Law

Negligent security is a branch of premises liability law. It holds property owners accountable when a lawful visitor is harmed by a third-party criminal act the owner could reasonably have foreseen and taken steps to prevent. Unlike a slip-and-fall claim, negligent security requires proving that the criminal conduct itself was a predictable risk, not a random occurrence.

Security failures take many forms:

Inadequate lighting in parking lots, stairwells, and building entrances
Broken or missing locks on doors, gates, and entry points
No security personnel at locations with a documented history of incidents
Absent or nonfunctional surveillance cameras in high-traffic areas
Failure to act on prior complaints or police call records at the same location

Foreseeability is often the contested issue. A property’s prior crime history, police call logs, and ignored tenant complaints can all demonstrate that an owner knew, or should have known, that a dangerous condition existed. Defendants can include property owners, landlords, management companies, and third-party security contractors who failed to fulfill their obligations.

Where Negligent Security Cases Arise on the South Shore

These incidents happen across a wide range of settings. High-traffic commercial environments, such as large retail centers and shopping destinations like South Shore Plaza, create conditions where security failures can affect many people. Residential properties, hospitality venues, and transit-adjacent locations carry the same legal obligations to their visitors.

Common locations include:

Shopping centers and retail malls
Apartment complexes and residential buildings
Hotel and motel common areas
Parking lots and parking garages
Bars and restaurants
College campuses and dormitories
ATM locations

Injuries in these settings range from assault and robbery to sexual assault and wrongful death. Victims frequently carry both physical injuries and lasting psychological harm, and both factor into what a claim may recover.

Why South Shore Clients Bring Negligent Security Cases to Us

We focus on serious, high-impact personal injury cases. Our firm has handled tens of thousands of cases across more than 30 years and has recovered over ten million dollars for clients across our broader personal injury practice. That depth of experience matters in negligent security claims, which often involve complex liability chains, reluctant defendants, and evidence that must be preserved quickly.

We prepare every case for trial if that’s what it takes. Property owners and their insurers can respond differently when they know a firm is willing to litigate. Our team takes a collaborative approach to complex cases and stays in close contact with clients throughout a process that can take time to resolve. Responsive communication and 24/7 availability aren’t features we mention as an afterthought. They’re how we work.

Talk to a Negligent Security Lawyer in Braintree Today

A free consultation costs you nothing and can clarify whether you have a viable claim. We work on contingency, so there’s no fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Virtual meetings are available, and we serve clients in English and Spanish.

Contact Kenney & Conley at (781) 488-1190 to speak with our team 24/7 and get your questions answered at no charge.

What You Must Prove in a Massachusetts Negligent Security Claim

Massachusetts premises liability law sets out specific elements a plaintiff must establish to hold a property owner responsible for a third-party criminal act. These requirements explain why early action and evidence preservation matter so much in these cases.

Generally, a negligent security claim requires showing:

The defendant owned or operated the property where the incident occurred
The injured person was lawfully on the premises at the time
The defendant failed to take reasonable steps to protect lawful visitors
The criminal act that caused the injury was reasonably foreseeable to the defendant
The plaintiff suffered documented injuries causally linked to that failure

Foreseeability is typically where these cases are won or lost. Evidence of prior crimes at the same location, police call logs showing a pattern, or documented complaints the owner received and ignored can all establish that a reasonable property owner should have acted. Surveillance footage and physical evidence can be overwritten or lost within weeks, which is why contacting an attorney promptly after an incident can help preserve what’s needed. This is not legal advice. The strength of any individual claim depends on the specific facts and circumstances involved.

Damages Available to Negligent Security Victims

A successful claim can pursue several categories of compensation. Medical costs are often the most immediate, covering emergency care, surgery, and any ongoing treatment or rehabilitation the incident requires. Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity are recoverable when injuries affect a victim’s ability to work.

Pain and suffering and emotional distress are also compensable. Victims of violent crimes frequently require long-term psychological care, and those costs are part of the damages picture alongside physical treatment. In most Massachusetts personal injury cases, courts are limited to compensatory damages. Punitive damages are generally only available where a specific statute permits them, such as in wrongful death cases involving willful, wanton, or reckless conduct.

Filing Deadlines for Negligent Security Claims in Massachusetts

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 260, Section 2A gives injured individuals three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline can permanently eliminate the right to recover, regardless of how strong the underlying claim might be.

A shorter deadline applies when the property is owned or operated by a government entity or the MBTA. The Massachusetts Tort Claims Act requires a formal presentment letter within two years before a lawsuit may be filed. If you’re unsure whether the location where you were injured is government-owned, that’s one of the first things to clarify with an attorney.

Contact Us

At Kenney & Conley, we're always ready to take your call! Give us a call at (781) 488-1190 or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members. Hablamos español.

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A Firm Focused on Injury Law

A Longstanding Legal Practice in Braintree

Decades of Experience
With more than 30 years of experience working together, our attorneys bring deep knowledge and proven strategies to complex personal injury cases.
Focused Injury Practice
We concentrate on serious personal injury matters, including catastrophic injuries, construction accidents, truck collisions, and wrongful death cases.
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We guide clients through every step of the legal process, providing clear communication and support throughout the life of their case.
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Every case is approached with careful preparation and a strategic mindset, ensuring we are ready to advocate effectively whether negotiating or litigating.

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