Bozeman Negligent Security Lawyer

Holding Property Owners Accountable After Violence

If you were injured during a crime on someone else’s property in Bozeman, you may be wondering whether the business or landlord could have prevented it. When basic security is ignored and people get hurt, a negligent security attorney in Bozeman can help you pursue accountability under Montana law.

At Hoyt & Blewett PLLC, we represent people who have been assaulted, robbed, or otherwise harmed at apartments, hotels, bars, parking lots, and other properties that failed to take reasonable safety measures. We understand that you may be dealing with physical pain, anxiety, and questions about how this could have been allowed to happen at all.

Our firm is a third-generation Montana personal injury law practice that has tried many serious cases to verdict. We have obtained some of the largest personal injury results in state history, and insurers know we are prepared to take a case all the way to trial when that is necessary to pursue full compensation. 

To talk with our team in confidence, call (406) 233-1302 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.

What Is Negligent Security?

Negligent security occurs when a property owner or manager fails to provide reasonable safety measures, and that failure leads to a criminal act causing injury or death. These cases often arise after violent crimes such as assaults, sexual attacks, or shootings on commercial or residential properties.

Common locations for negligent security incidents in Bozeman include:

• Apartment complexes and student housing
• Hotels and motels
• Bars, breweries, and nightclubs
• Parking lots and parking garages
• Shopping centers and retail stores
• College-area properties near Montana State University

Our Bozeman negligent security attorney can investigate whether the crime was foreseeable and whether the property owner failed to take appropriate preventive steps.

Different Forms of Security

Adequate security varies depending on the property type, location, and history of criminal activity. Common forms of security that property owners may be expected to provide include:

• Security personnel: Trained guards, either armed or unarmed, to monitor premises and respond to threats
• Surveillance cameras: Properly placed and functioning video cameras to deter crime and document incidents
• Controlled access: Locked entrances, key cards, gates, or intercom systems to restrict unauthorized entry
• Adequate lighting: Well-lit walkways, stairwells, hallways, and parking areas
• Alarm systems: Burglar alarms, panic buttons, or emergency alert systems
• Maintenance and repairs: Fixing broken locks, gates, fences, and doors promptly

When one or more of these measures is missing or poorly maintained, it can create dangerous conditions for visitors and tenants.

When Is Security Necessary?

Security is considered “necessary” when criminal activity is foreseeable. Foreseeability is a key element in negligent security cases. Factors that may establish foreseeability include:

• Prior crimes on the same property
• Criminal activity in the surrounding area
• The nature of the business (e.g., bars serving alcohol late at night)
• High foot traffic or large crowds
• Known safety complaints from tenants or customers

For example, a Bozeman apartment complex with a history of break-ins may be expected to install secure locks, lighting, and access controls. Similarly, a downtown bar may need trained security staff during peak hours. A Bozeman negligent security lawyer can assess whether the property owner knew—or should have known—about the risk.

Examples of Inadequate Security

Negligent security can take many forms. Common examples include:

• Broken or missing door and window locks
• Non-functioning security cameras
• Dark or poorly lit parking lots
• Lack of security guards despite prior violent incidents
• Unsecured entrances allowing unauthorized access
• Failure to respond to known safety complaints
• Inadequate screening or training of security staff

If any of these conditions contributed to your injury, you may have grounds for a negligent security claim.

Who Is Liable for Negligent Security?

Liability depends on who owned, controlled, or managed the property. Potentially responsible parties may include:

• Commercial property owners
• Landlords and apartment complex owners
• Property management companies
• Business owners or tenants
• Hotel or motel operators
• Event organizers or venue operators

Under Montana law, property owners owe different levels of duty depending on the visitor’s status (invitee, licensee, or trespasser). Most negligent security claims involve invitees, such as customers, tenants, or guests. Our Bozeman negligent security lawyer at Hoyt & Blewett PLLC can identify all liable parties and pursue claims against their insurance providers.

Injuries Commonly Associated With Negligent Security

Negligent security incidents often result in severe physical and emotional harm, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Gunshot or stab wounds
• Lacerations and facial injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety, depression, and emotional distress

These injuries can lead to long-term medical care, lost income, and lasting psychological trauma.

Compensation Available in a Negligent Security Claim

A successful negligent security claim may allow victims to recover compensation for:

• Medical bills and future medical treatment
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Hoyt & Blewett PLLC works to pursue full and fair compensation based on the true impact of your injuries.

Negligent Security FAQs

How long do I have to file a negligent security claim in Montana?

In most cases, Montana’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury. However, certain exceptions may apply.

Do I need to prove the property owner caused the crime?

No. You must show that the property owner’s failure to provide reasonable security contributed to the crime and your injuries.

What if the criminal was never caught?

You can still pursue a negligent security claim even if the attacker is unidentified or not prosecuted.

Can I file a claim if I was partially at fault?

Montana follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You may still recover compensation as long as you were less than 51% at fault.

Do these cases usually go to trial?

Many negligent security claims settle out of court, but Hoyt & Blewett PLLC prepares every case as if it will go to trial.

Why Injured Montanans Choose Our Firm

When you are dealing with injuries from an assault or other crime, you need a legal team that is taken seriously by the powerful companies on the other side. At Hoyt & Blewett PLLC, insurance carriers know that we have gone to trial in high-stakes cases and secured substantial verdicts. That history often changes the way they approach settlement from the very beginning.

Our attorneys have obtained many of the top personal injury verdicts in Montana. These include the largest reported individual personal injury settlement in state history at $27 million for a person with a severe brain injury. We also achieved a $21.35 million verdict in a malicious prosecution case, one of the largest verdicts of its kind in the United States, along with other results worth $11 million, $9.79 million, $7 million, and $6.5 million in serious injury and wrongful death matters.

Our record has resulted in national recognition. Managing partner Zander Blewett is the only lawyer from Montana admitted to the Inner Circle of Advocates and to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame. All four of our partners were the only Montana lawyers named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America for 2022. These honors reflect how the broader legal community views our trial work and our commitment to injured people.

Clients and other attorneys also place their trust in our firm. We have over 150 five-star reviews on Google, and many of our cases come through referrals from lawyers who want their clients to have trial-ready representation. We carefully screen Montana injury cases for merit, and when we accept a claim, we work to recover all compensation allowed under Montana law.

Our roots in this state run deep. The Blewett family has been involved in Montana law since 1938, and our attorneys remain active in communities across the state. Our team has helped support institutions such as the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana, the Hoyt & Blewett Courtroom, Montana State University, and numerous scholarship and youth programs. That long-standing commitment reflects how seriously we take our responsibility when someone’s future is placed in our hands.

Call (406) 233-1302 to schedule your free consultation with our team.