Assaulted in a Poorly Lit Parking Lot with No Cameras? Here’s How to File an Inadequate Security Lawsuit

You went out for dinner. Or maybe you were leaving work late. You walked through a parking lot expecting basic safety, and instead, you were attacked.

The lighting was dim. The security cameras weren’t working, or maybe they didn’t exist. No guards. No patrols. Just silence and a space that should have felt secure, but didn’t.

Now you’re recovering from physical injuries, dealing with trauma, and wondering: Can I sue the property owner for negligent security?

If this happened in San Diego, and the property owner failed to take reasonable steps to keep people safe, the answer may be yes. This is what’s known as an inadequate security lawsuit—and it’s a real, recognized claim in California civil courts.

At DP Injury Attorneys, we help assault victims hold businesses and property owners accountable when safety measures are ignored. Here’s what you need to know if you were hurt in a parking lot, garage, or public area where security was not just poor—it was nonexistent.

What is an Inadequate Security Lawsuit?

An inadequate security lawsuit falls under the broader legal category of premises liability. That means a property owner can be held responsible if someone is injured due to unsafe or dangerous conditions on their property.

But in negligent security cases, the danger doesn’t come from a broken stair or a wet floor. It comes from criminal activity that was foreseeable—and preventable—if the property had better security.

These lawsuits often arise after:

• Physical assaults in parking lots, garages, apartment complexes, or retail centers
• Robberies in poorly lit areas with no security presence
• Sexual assaults near hotels, nightclubs, or college campuses
• Violent crimes where repeat incidents had already occurred in the same location

If a property owner knew—or should have known—that crime was likely, and did nothing to protect people from it, they may be held financially responsible for the harm that followed.

Can You Sue for Negligent Security After an Assault?

Under California law, yes—if certain conditions are met.

You may have a valid inadequate security lawsuit if:

1. The assault occurred on someone else’s property
2. The area had known security problems
3. The property owner failed to take reasonable safety measures
4. You suffered injuries as a result

The key issue is foreseeability. If the owner knew the area had a history of crime—or that crime was reasonably predictable—they had a duty to act. That could mean adding lighting, installing surveillance cameras, hiring guards, or taking other preventive steps.

When they fail to do that, and someone is assaulted, they can be sued for negligent or inadequate security.

Common Signs of Negligent Security

Not sure if your case qualifies? Here are some of the most common red flags we see in inadequate security cases:

• Broken or non-working lights in stairwells, garages, or outdoor walkways
• No cameras or signs of surveillance, even in isolated areas
• Lack of security staff or patrols, especially at night
• Unsecured entrances to gated lots, apartment buildings, or facilities
• History of prior assaults, thefts, or robberies on the same property
• Management ignoring complaints about suspicious activity or poor lighting

If any of this sounds familiar, you may have a strong case. We’ve helped people across San Diego hold negligent property owners accountable—especially when corporate landlords, retail centers, or private garages put profits before safety.

What Needs to Be Proven in an Inadequate Security Lawsuit?

Winning this type of claim requires showing four key elements:

1. The property owner owed you a duty of care

If you were lawfully on the premises—as a customer, employee, tenant, or guest—the property owner had a legal obligation to keep the area reasonably safe.

2. That duty was breached

Failing to install lighting or security systems, ignoring criminal patterns, or cutting corners on safety are all breaches of that duty.

3. The crime was foreseeable

You don’t have to prove the exact incident was predictable—but you do have to show that a reasonable property owner would have anticipated the risk.

This is where evidence of prior criminal activity or known dangers becomes powerful.

4. You suffered damages

This includes physical injuries, emotional trauma, lost wages, medical bills, or long-term psychological impact.

Once these elements are established, the property owner (or their insurance carrier) may be held responsible for compensating you.

What If the Attacker Was Never Caught?

You can still sue.

Inadequate security lawsuits focus on the property owner—not the criminal. Even if the person who assaulted you was never identified or arrested, you may still have a claim against the business, landlord, or building owner responsible for the unsafe environment.

Think of it this way: you’re not suing the attacker—you’re suing the person who failed to protect you from them.

That’s a key legal distinction, and it’s one that can lead to justice even when criminal charges are not filed.

How Much Is an Inadequate Security Lawsuit Worth?

It depends on the facts of the case. Every situation is different. But compensation may include:

• Emergency room bills and follow-up treatment
• Therapy or counseling for trauma
• Lost income from missed work
• Long-term disability or pain
• Emotional distress or post-traumatic stress

In serious cases, settlements or verdicts can reach six or even seven figures. But even in less severe assaults, victims are often entitled to significant financial recovery.

How Long Do You Have to File?

In California, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases—including negligent security—is two years from the date of injury.

That sounds like plenty of time, but early action is critical. Surveillance footage disappears. Witnesses move. Property owners deny responsibility. The sooner we investigate, the stronger your case becomes.

What to Do After a Parking Lot Assault

If you were assaulted in a location that felt unsafe or unprotected, here’s what you can do right now:

1. Get medical attention, even if your injuries feel minor
2. Report the incident to police and property management
3. Take photos of the scene, lighting conditions, broken fixtures, or missing cameras
4. Write down what happened while it’s still fresh
5. Talk to a negligent security lawyer before speaking to insurance companies or the property owner

Why Choose DP Injury Attorneys

We’re not a volume firm. We’re not a settlement mill. We focus on serious personal injury and inadequate security cases—especially those involving:

• Parking lot assaults
• Apartment complex attacks
• Unsecured retail or hotel properties
• Campus or student housing violence

If your life was disrupted by a violent assault that should have been prevented, we’re ready to fight for you. We’ll uncover what the property owner knew, what they ignored, and how that failure created the conditions for what happened to you.

You Deserved Safety. Now You Deserve Justice.

Being attacked in a place where you should have been protected is not just a personal tragedy—it’s a legal failure. You’re not overreacting by asking questions. You’re not greedy for wanting compensation. You’re demanding accountability from a system that failed to do the bare minimum.

If you believe you were assaulted because of poor lighting, lack of cameras, or a complete absence of security, you may have the right to file an inadequate security lawsuit.

Call DP Injury Attorneys in San Diego today for a free consultation. We’ll listen, investigate, and take the next step when you’re ready.