Negligent Security Attorney in Chattanooga

Fighting for Chattanooga Victims Since 1934. Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum Members.

Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim that arises when a property owner fails to take reasonable precautions to protect lawful visitors from foreseeable criminal acts. When that failure leaves someone injured, the property owner may bear civil liability, separate from any criminal case against the attacker. At Berke, Berke & Berke, we’ve represented Chattanooga-area victims of violent incidents since our founding in 1934, drawing on over 80 years of combined experience to hold negligent property owners accountable.

We represent clients injured at apartments, hotels, bars, nightclubs, parking lots, retail centers, and other properties throughout Hamilton County. If you were assaulted, robbed, or otherwise harmed at a location that lacked adequate lighting, functioning security cameras, or basic protective measures, you may have a claim against the property owner.

Why Trial Credentials Matter in Negligent Security Cases

Property owners and their insurers rarely settle negligent security claims without a fight. The central dispute in most of these cases is foreseeability: whether the property owner knew or should have known that criminal activity was a real risk at that location. Proving foreseeability requires evidence, preparation, and a willingness to litigate.

All partners at Berke, Berke & Berke are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which is reserved for trial attorneys who have secured multi-million dollar results through litigation. Our attorneys are also nationally recognized as being among the top 5 percent of practicing lawyers in our field. That standing reflects a record of taking cases to court when insurers won’t offer fair terms, and our firm has played an active role in shaping legal precedents within Tennessee law. We also donate a portion of all recoveries to local and national charities, because our commitment extends beyond the courtroom.

Where Negligent Security Claims Arise in Chattanooga

Under Tennessee law, property owners owe a heightened duty of care to invitees such as customers and guests, requiring reasonable steps against foreseeable criminal harm. When that duty is ignored, the consequences can be severe. We’ve represented clients in cases involving:

• Assaults or robberies in apartment parking lots or stairwells
• Attacks in hotel parking areas or hallways
• Violent incidents in bar or nightclub parking lots
• Muggings in poorly lit commercial or retail parking areas
• Incidents at ATM or bank parking lots with a history of prior criminal activity

Civil premises liability claims in Hamilton County are heard in the Hamilton County Circuit Court. Filing deadlines and liability questions are time-sensitive, so acting quickly after an incident matters.