You may both bear some responsibility for the security of your own apartment, and if you’ve been attacked in your apartment it is important to know who may be responsible for what.
Generally, your landlord is responsible for providing you with a safe and secure place to live. This may include, for example:
- Window and door locks that work.
- Windows and doors that close all the way.
- Lighting in the hallway or common areas.
- Limiting entry into the building to residents and guests.
- Anything else included in your lease agreement.
If any of these things were not provided, or if other reasonable security measures were violated and you were injured as a result, then you could have a negligent security claim against the owner of your apartment building. However, such a claim may not be successful if you did not do your part to maintain your own safety. For example, if you left your door wide open or failed to lock your ground level window, then your landlord may not be liable.
Since both you and your landlord have some responsibility for the security in your apartment, it is important to think carefully about what allowed the intruder into your apartment unit. Was it because of something that you did or was it because of the lack of security that your landlord should have provided? You deserve an honest and accurate answer to this question so that you can get the recovery that you deserve.
If you would like our legal opinion about what caused your injury, please contact us today via this website to schedule a free consultation. We promise to tell you the truth and to do what we can to help you get the recovery you deserve.
