When someone suffers sexual violence on property, liability doesn’t always rest solely with the offender. In many cases, property owners, managers, or operators can be held legally responsible for failing to provide reasonable security, maintain safe premises, or prevent known dangers.
At Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers, we help survivors of sexual assault on commercial, residential, or institutional property hold negligent owners and operators accountable for failing to secure their properties and ensure their guests’ safety. If you or someone you love was sexually assaulted on an unsafe property, contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Property Owners Can Be Liable for Sexual Assaults
Under premises liability and negligent security law, owners and occupiers may owe a legal duty to protect lawful visitors from foreseeable harm, including criminal acts by third parties. When owners know or should know of risks, including past assaults, crime in the area, poor lighting, inadequate locks or surveillance, and fail to act in response, they may be held liable.
Some important legal concepts in sexual assault cases against property owners due to negligent security include:
- Foreseeability: If prior assaults or criminal activity have occurred on or near the property, a court may find the risk should have been anticipated.
- Reasonable Security or Protective Measures: Failure to provide lighting, security guards, cameras, locks, patrols, or warnings may be considered negligence.
- Control Over Premises: Liability often depends on whether the defendant had direct control over security, access, or operations of the property.
- Notice: The owner may be liable if they had actual or constructive notice of dangerous conditions such as prior complaints or local crime patterns.
- Causation: The security failure must be tied to the assault.
Because sexual assaults are especially traumatic, courts may also consider aggravating factors, such as intoxication, isolated locations, hidden pathways, or poor visibility, that make prevention more critical.
Where Sexual Assault Happens
Sexual assaults can occur in many settings throughout Louisiana, especially when property owners fail to secure the premises. Some examples of property types and scenarios where owner liability is often asserted include:
- Bars, nightclubs, or lounges where a patron is assaulted
- Hotels, motels, or inns where guests are attacked
- Apartment complexes, dormitories, or multi-unit housing
- Retail stores, shopping centers, or malls
- Schools, campuses, and other institutional property
- Parking lots, garages, stairwells, and walkways
If the property owner or operator failed to secure entrances, provide adequate lighting, hire qualified security personnel, monitor vulnerable areas, or warn visitors of known risks, they could be liable.
Who You Can Sue After a Sexual Assault on Unsecured Property
Depending on the facts, potential defendants in a premises liability sexual assault case may include:
- The property owner
- The property manager or landlord
- Businesses operating on the premises (bars, nightclubs, retail tenants)
- Security companies or contractors retained for surveillance
- Institutions (schools, universities, religious organizations)
- Local municipalities or public agencies (in some cases)
At Dudley DeBosier, we investigate the ownership, lease arrangements, security contracts, and operation responsibilities to name all parties who share liability.
Types of Compensation You May Be Eligible to Receive
Survivors of sexual assault on premises may pursue damages, including:
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Medical treatment, counseling, and therapy
- Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation, relocation, or housing costs
- Punitive damages (in cases of gross negligence)
Because of the psychological harm associated with assault, courts often recognize the need for significant damages beyond just physical injuries.
How We Can Help During This Difficult Time
At Dudley DeBosier, our approach when building civil sexual assault cases is survivor-centered:
- Immediate Preservation of Evidence: We immediately set out to find, preserve, and analyze CTV footage, access logs, security reports, and incident reports.
- Site Investigation and Security Audit: We enlist security experts to assess whether the property met industry standards.
- Identification of Liable Parties: We dig into ownership, leasing, and security contracts to determine who may be liable.
- Working With Victim Services: We connect clients to counseling, advocacy, and medical support to aid in their physical and emotional recoveries.
- Filing a Lawsuit or Resolving via Settlement: We can pursue full justice in court or negotiate compensation out of court to maximize our clients’ financial recoveries.
- Criminal Law Coordination: While we don’t handle criminal prosecutions for sexual assaults, we coordinate with law enforcement when appropriate to ensure our client’s interests are protected.
We treat every case with sensitivity and confidentiality. Your safety and dignity matter to us throughout every step of the legal process.
What You Should Do If You’re Sexually Assaulted on Someone Else’s Property
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault on someone’s property, take these critical steps:
- Seek medical attention immediately and request a forensic exam.
- Report the assault to law enforcement.
- Preserve evidence: photographs, clothing, messages, and surveillance footage.
- Write down what you remember, including dates, times, and witnesses.
- Identify any contact with property management, security, or staff.
- Contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible, as Louisiana has deadlines for premises liability claims.
Taking these steps can help you protect your rights and strengthen your case against negligent owners.
Why Choose Dudley DeBosier for a Sexual Assault Caused by Negligent Security?
- We have deep experience in premises liability and negligent security litigation.
- We understand the emotional trauma involved and handle your case with compassion.
- We partner with security, forensic, and expert witnesses to build compelling cases.
- Our No Fee Guarantee® means you pay us no fees, costs, or expenses unless we get you money.
- We focus on local knowledge, including how Louisiana laws, courts, and property norms affect your claim.
You don’t have to carry this burden alone. Let our firm fight for your justice and recovery.
Contact Us for a Confidential Consultation
If you or a loved one was sexually assaulted on someone’s property in Louisiana, time may be of the essence. Reach out to Dudley DeBosier for a confidential, free case evaluation.
We will explain your rights, lay out possible legal paths, and help you take the first step toward accountability and healing.
