Las Cruces Negligent Security Attorneys

Relentlessly Pursuing Justice for Victims in New Mexico

No one plans on sustaining a wrongful injury, especially while on property they reasonably expect to be safe. In New Mexico, property owners owe visitors a duty of care, including taking reasonable steps to reduce the risk of danger and injury. Part of this entails appropriate security measures. If owners fail to do so and it results in harm, victims may be entitled to recover damages in court.

If you or a loved one was harmed on third-party property due to inadequate security, you may be entitled to compensation. At Buckingham & Vega Law Firm, our negligent security lawyers have decades of experience pursuing justice for clients in Las Cruces and beyond. With a diverse legal background and proven track record of record-setting verdicts, our articulate advocates provide comprehensive counsel and high-quality representation to victims assaulted on someone else’s property.

If you were harmed on third-party premises, our attorneys can help you exercise your right to pursue compensation. Contact us online to discuss your case.

Have You Been Injured?

We Are Ready to Passionately Advocate For Your Rights

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Our Results Make a Difference

Explore How We Have Helped Our Clients

$73.21 Million Verdict Birth Injury
The Buckingham & Vega legal team secured a $73.21 million verdict on behalf of a baby who was catastrophically injured due to the negligence of their doctor and medical team.
Record-Setting $72 Million Verdict Birth Injury
The Buckingham & Vega team obtained a $72 Million verdict in a birth injury case when an OB/ GYN failed to properly monitor the mom during pregnancy.
$16 Million Truck Accident
Buckingham & Vega obtained a $16 million settlement in a truck accident case. The truck driver was speeding and inattentive (texting) and crashed into the rear of a pickup truck stopped at a stoplight.
$14 Million Dram Shop Liability
Our team obtained a $14 million dram shop verdict on behalf of a client who was injured due to negligence.
$13 Million Truck Accident
Our team secured a 13 million settlement in a truck accident case. An eighteen-wheeler made an unsafe turn in front of a car driven by a grandmother and her family. The grandmother was killed and the family suffered severe injuries.
13 Million Work Injury
Buckingham & Vega represented an oilfield worker who was killed when their company failed to properly train its employees on how to safely move waste bins. Our client was killed when he became trapped between two bins.

View All Results

What Is a Negligent Security Lawsuit?

In New Mexico, property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe and hazard-free for visitors and patrons alike. This includes incorporating and maintaining safe and adequate security measures to prevent foreseeable harm. A negligent security lawsuit arises when someone is injured on third-party property due to inadequate security measures.

By bringing a lawsuit against negligent property owners or occupiers, victims can pursue compensation and ensure that defendants are held responsible for the harm they’ve caused. It’s critical to consult with a trusted negligent security lawyer who can guide your steps wisely and help you navigate the legal intricacies of your claim.

Who Is Eligible to File a Negligent Security Claim?

Negligent security can apply to a vast variety of locations, such as malls, apartment complexes, parking garages, restaurants, bars, hospitals, schools, and entertainment venues.

Various individuals can be eligible to file a negligent security claim, such as:

Individuals who suffered injuries due to criminal acts on someone else's property, such as assault, robbery, or sexual assault.
Tenants or guests who experienced harm on rented or leased premises.
Visitors or patrons who were injured in public places, such as shopping malls, hotels, parks, or parking lots.

Negligent security lawsuits examine the duty of property owners or occupiers to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm caused by criminal activities. When they fail to provide adequate security measures, they can be held liable for injuries resulting from criminal acts.

Proving Negligent Security in New Mexico

Negligent security lawsuits can be tricky to navigate, especially while recovering from an injury. Because plaintiffs bear the burden of proof in such cases, it’s crucial for victims to understand what constitutes “negligent security” and how to establish this in court.

Generally, recovering damages in a negligent security lawsuit requires the plaintiff to establish certain elements. These include:

Foreseeability: The concept of foreseeability is linked to a property owner's capacity to foresee or predict potential criminal acts. If the owner, knowing the potential for illicit activities, does not take appropriate steps to prevent such acts, their inadequate security measures can be construed as negligence. Plaintiffs must show that the owner or occupier should have reasonably anticipated the risk of criminal activity on the premises.
Reasonable security measures: Victims are responsible for proving that the property owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm, such as installing adequate lighting, surveillance systems, alarms, or employing security personnel.

As you can imagine, legal concepts like “reasonable measures” can leave room for vagueness and varying interpretations. This is why it’s vital to seek sound counsel from an experienced lawyer who can fortify your claim with strong evidence, challenge gaps and discrepancies in the defendant’s argument, and present your case as compellingly as possible.

Unique Challenges in Negligent Security Lawsuits

If you were wrongfully injured due to inadequate security measures, pursuing a negligent security lawsuit can help you seek justice and compensation for your losses. However, it’s essential to understand the unique challenges that can arise in these cases. Consulting with a qualified negligent security attorney can help victims navigate the legal proceedings effectively while avoiding potential pitfalls.

Common challenges in negligent security lawsuits include:

Proving negligence: In a negligent security case, the burden of proof lies with the plaintiff. It’s crucial to establish that the property owner or manager failed to provide reasonable security measures, which directly resulted in your injury. This can involve gathering evidence, such as surveillance footage, witness testimonies, crime statistics, and expert opinions.
Determining foreseeability: Demonstrating that the property owner or manager should have reasonably foreseen the potential risk or harm is another challenge. This involves evaluating past criminal activity on or near the property, analyzing security protocols, and establishing whether the defendant had knowledge of previous incidents.
Causation and damages: To succeed in a negligent security claim, you must prove that the inadequate security measures directly caused your injuries. Additionally, it’s essential to calculate and establish the extent of your damages, such as medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Statute of limitations: Each state has a specific time limit within which you must file a negligent security lawsuit. This is known as the “statute of limitations.” Failing to file a claim by this deadline can result in your claim being rejected. Promptly consulting with a negligent security lawyer is essential to comply with all legal requirements and prevent the dismissal of your case.
Legal intricacies: Negligent security lawsuits are complex for various reasons. Navigating complicated legal processes, dealing with insurance companies, and understanding common challenges in negligent security laws can be overwhelming. Seeking guidance from a knowledgeable attorney is essential to protect your rights and maximize the damages available to you.

What Is “Pure Comparative Negligence” in New Mexico?

In New Mexico, the pure comparative negligence rule applies in personal injury law, including premises liability and negligent security lawsuits. Under this rule, the amount of recoverable damages can be reduced based on the victim’s percentage of fault in the accident. For example, if the court determines that the defendant is 76% at fault for the victim’s injuries, the amount of compensation available to the plaintiff will be reduced by 24% to account for their share of the fault.

Sometimes, the defendant may argue that your own actions or failure to take adequate precautions contributed to your injuries to reduce the overall compensation available to you. In these circumstances, building a strong case that establishes the defendant's negligence is crucial to navigate these legal obstacles and recover damages.

Contact a Seasoned Lawyer in Las Cruces

Our passionate attorneys have extensive knowledge of premises liability and personal injury law in New Mexico, empowering us to represent the wrongfully injured in Las Cruces and beyond by seeking the fair compensation they deserve. With a proven track record of case results and millions of dollars recovered for our clients, you can trust our firm to relentlessly pursue justice on your behalf while you focus on your recovery.

From birth injuries to construction accidents, put decades of experience on your side by working with our skilled lawyers at Buckingham & Vega Law Firm. When you partner with us, we will fight tirelessly to alleviate your financial burdens and recover full damages in court. Your injury is our fight, and no matter the injury, you can count on us to stay in your corner from start to finish.

If you were injured due to inadequate security measures, call (505) 388-0066 to schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable negligent security lawyer.

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