Negligent Security Attorney Serving Austin And Surrounding Areas

Last updated on March 18, 2026

If you suffered an assault or a robbery on someone else’s property, you are likely feeling overwhelmed. You want to learn about your legal options, but you are not sure where to turn.

I am personal injury lawyer Matthew Shrum. I have practiced law since 2006, and I offer 20 years of experience to the people of Austin. When you work with The Law Office of Matthew Shrum, PLLC, you work directly with me – not a paralegal or a junior staff member.

I believe in a client-first approach. This means that I focus on your specific needs. Allow me to handle the investigation, evidence-gathering and communication with the insurance companies so that you can focus on healing.

All About Negligent Security In Texas

In Texas, property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe. Negligent security occurs when a property owner fails to take reasonable measures to keep visitors safe from foreseeable crimes. The state considers a crime foreseeable if the area has a history of similar incidents.

For example, if a parking lot has seen five robberies in the last year, the owner should be able to foresee a sixth robbery. The law holds the property owner accountable because they failed to follow local safety standards and ignored clear warning signs of danger.

Common Places For Property Security Liability Cases In Austin

Crimes can happen anywhere, but certain locations have a higher duty to provide security. Common locations where we see inadequate security injury claims in Texas include:

• Apartment complexes: Apartment complex security negligence may involve broken gates, unmonitored hallways and poor lighting.
• Parking lots and garages: Prime spots for assault, since some garages have no cameras or security patrols.
• Hotels and motels: Hotel negligent security in Texas often involves rooms with broken locks or stairwells that lack monitoring.
• Bars, nightclubs and music venues: Establishments that serve alcohol must hire enough bouncers to manage crowds and prevent fights.
• Shopping centers: Malls or other stores must protect their common areas and walkways to protect shoppers from robberies.

In each of these places, the owner must assess the risks. If they know a location is dangerous and fail to act, they are negligent. I investigate these properties thoroughly to see if they meet the standard of care mandated by Texas premises liability laws.

The Injuries And Harm Caused By Inadequate Security

Victims of crime suffer pain that goes far beyond the physical. The trauma of an assault or a robbery can prevent you from working and enjoying your life. I see many different types of harm that survivors experience, from immediate medical emergencies to long-term psychological struggles. Some examples are:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Sexual assault
• Violence and gunshot wounds
• Robbery and theft
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety and depression
• Soft tissue injuries

The costs of medical treatment, therapy and rehabilitation can climb to thousands of dollars very quickly. You should not have to pay for someone else’s failure to keep you safe. My goal is to ensure that the person or business responsible for your safety pays for your damages.

What Kind Of Damages Can Result From Negligence?

Damages is the legal term for the money you receive to compensate you for your economic and noneconomic losses. Texas law allows you to seek a wide range of compensation, including:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical care
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Wrongful death

Calculating these damages involves looking at your current bills and estimating what you will need in the future. You want to ensure that any settlement or jury award covers every single one of your needs.

How Can You Establish Property Owner Liability?

Putting it broadly, proving liability involves:

1. Identifying the duty of care: Show that the business or individual had an obligation to keep you safe.
2. Prove foreseeability: Gather police reports and crime statistics for the area to show the owner should have known about the danger.
3. Show beach of duty: Demonstrate that the owner failed to take reasonable steps, such as fixing lights or hiring guards.
4. Establish causation: Connect how the lack of security directly allowed the criminal to hurt you.
5. Calculate damages: Present evidence of your physical, emotional and financial losses.

The process involves gathering a lot of data. I look for maintenance logs, security footage and witness statements to show a pattern of neglect that led to your specific injury.

How Hard Is It To Prove Negligence?

Proving negligence in a security case is very difficult and complicated. Large businesses and insurance companies have teams of lawyers ready to fight your claim. They might argue that the crime was a random act that they could not have stopped.

To win, you need your own personal injury attorney with a high level of experience. You need someone who knows how to uncover the truth about a property’s history. Fortunately, I have spent 20 years learning how to build these arguments. I know how to counter the tactics that insurance companies use to devalue your claim.

What Do Negligent Security Lawyers Do?

Negligent security attorneys take over the heavy lifting when you have been injured. I start by securing the scene and preserving evidence. This might mean demanding that a business save its surveillance tapes before they are deleted. I also interview witnesses and talk to the police about their investigation.

A negligent security lawyer can also handle all communication with the insurance companies. I will negotiate on your behalf to get a fair settlement. If the insurance company refuses to be reasonable, I am prepared to take your case to court.

What Are The Benefits Of Working With The Law Office of Matthew Shrum, PLLC?

Choosing to work with me means choosing personalized care. In large firms, you are often just a file number. Here, you are a neighbor. I understand the Austin community because I live and work here. I provide compassionate support because I know how traumatic an assault can be.

You get the benefit of 20 years of experience without the cold, corporate feel of a massive law office. I give you my undivided attention and handle every aspect of your case from start to finish. In addition, I work on a contingency fee basis. You do not owe me any money unless I recover compensation for you. This removes the financial barriers to high-quality legal representation. If you need an affordable yet skillful attorney in Central Texas, I am here to help.

Speak With A Negligent Security Lawyer In Austin – Free Consultation

If you were injured because of insufficient security, you deserve a lawyer who will stand by your side. I am ready to help you hold the property owner accountable and secure the compensation you need to move forward. Please call me at 512-994-0313 or use my online contact form to schedule a completely free consultation. No fees up front.