Negligent Security

Klein DeNatale Goldner has been a pillar in our communities since 1953. With offices in Bakersfield, Fresno, Pasadena, San Diego, and Santa Barbara, our attorneys represent both businesses and individuals using their decades of experience, depth of knowledge and unrivaled track record.

Negligent Security Lawyer in Bakersfield

Seven Decades Serving Kern County. Ready to Fight for You.

When a criminal attack happens on someone else’s property, the property owner may share legal responsibility. Under California Civil Code section 1714, property owners must use ordinary care to manage their premises and protect visitors from foreseeable harm. When they fail to provide adequate lighting, functioning locks, surveillance, or security personnel, and someone is assaulted or robbed as a result, that failure can form the basis of a negligent security claim. Klein DeNatale Goldner has represented injured clients in Bakersfield and throughout Kern County since 1953, and our premises liability work includes these cases. A criminal attack doesn’t automatically relieve a property owner of civil liability, especially when the risk was foreseeable and the owner failed to act.

If you or someone you know was harmed because of inadequate security on a Bakersfield property, call us at (661) 485-2100 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’re ready to review what happened and can explain your options.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Negligent Security Injury

Liability in a negligent security case isn’t always limited to one party. California law allows claims against every party whose conduct contributed to the harm, and identifying all of them is one of the first things we do.

Potentially responsible parties include:

Property owners who failed to address known security risks appropriate to their location, such as missing surveillance cameras, broken entry locks, or inadequate lighting in parking areas
Property management companies that controlled day-to-day operations and neglected security obligations
Third-party security contractors hired to protect the premises who failed to fulfill their contractual duties
Individual security employees whose negligent conduct within the scope of their employment caused or worsened the harm

Foreseeability matters significantly in these cases. A property in a high-crime area carries a higher duty of care, and prior crime reports for the location or surrounding neighborhood are direct evidence that the owner was, or should have been, aware of the risk. Common locations where these claims arise include apartment complexes, hotels, shopping center parking lots, bars and nightclubs, and office buildings.

How We Build a Negligent Security Case

To pursue a negligent security claim under California law, four elements must be established: the owner owed a duty of care, they breached that duty by failing to prevent foreseeable harm, the breach caused the injury, and the injury resulted in compensable damages. Our personal injury team, with nearly 70 combined years of experience, handles every stage of that process.

We gather incident records and prior crime reports for the property, obtain surveillance footage before it can be overwritten, review security staffing logs and contracts, and work with experts on industry security standards. Because these cases often involve both a property owner and a security contractor, our full-service firm is equipped to address the overlapping liability questions that arise when multiple parties share responsibility. We work to resolve cases through negotiated settlement, but we’re prepared to take a Bakersfield negligent security case to trial when that’s appropriate.

Why Kern County Clients Bring These Cases to Us

Klein DeNatale Goldner has been part of the Bakersfield community for more than 70 years. Our roots in Kern County give us a practical understanding of local properties, local courts, and how these cases move through Kern County Superior Court.

As a full-service firm, our attorneys across practice areas can coordinate when a case raises questions that cross legal lines. Several members of our legal team are fluent in Spanish and can assist clients who prefer to communicate in Spanish. We’ve handled thousands of personal injury cases and recovered millions of dollars for clients. The firm’s broader standing was recognized in the Chambers USA California Spotlight Guide 2026, selected through independent market analysis and rigorous assessment of talent.

Start with a Free Consultation

You don’t need to know whether you have a case before you call. We’ll listen to what happened, review the facts, and can tell you honestly what we see. There’s no cost and no obligation.

Contact Klein DeNatale Goldner at (661) 485-2100 or reach us through our online contact form. We serve clients throughout Bakersfield and Kern County and are ready to help you understand your rights.

What to Do After a Negligent Security Incident in Bakersfield

The steps you take in the hours and days after an assault on someone else’s property can affect your ability to pursue compensation. Surveillance footage and incident records are often overwritten quickly, so acting fast matters.

Steps to take after a negligent security incident:

Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Some injuries from assaults aren’t immediately apparent, and a medical record establishes the connection between the incident and your harm.
Report the incident to the Bakersfield Police Department and obtain a copy of the official police report.
Document the scene by photographing broken lights, unsecured doors, missing cameras, or other visible security failures. Preserve any clothing or personal items from the incident.
Collect witness information before leaving the scene, including names and contact details.
Request an incident report from the property manager or owner and keep your copy.
Avoid giving statements to the property owner’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Early statements can be used to minimize or deny your claim.

Recoverable Damages in a California Negligent Security Case

California law distinguishes between economic and non-economic damages, and both categories may be available in a negligent security claim.

Economic Damages
These cover measurable financial losses: past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation and ongoing therapy costs, and wages lost because of time missed from work.

Non-Economic Damages
These cover harms that don’t appear on a bill: physical pain, emotional distress, trauma, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Wrongful Death Claims
Wrongful death claims When a negligent security failure results in a death, surviving family members may be entitled to pursue their own claims for related losses.

Punitive Damages
In cases where a property owner’s conduct was especially reckless or malicious, punitive damages may also be available. They aren’t awarded in every case, but they are one category courts can consider.

California’s Filing Deadline for Negligent Security Claims

California generally allows two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, including negligent security claims. Missing that deadline typically bars the claim, regardless of how strong the evidence is.

Two circumstances can narrow that window significantly. If the property where the attack occurred is government-owned, California’s Government Claims Act requires written notice to the public entity within six months of the injury, well before any lawsuit can be filed. And practically speaking, the evidence most useful in these cases degrades fast: surveillance footage gets overwritten, incident logs are purged, and witness memories fade. The sooner an attorney is involved, the better the chances of preserving what’s needed to build a complete case. If you were harmed on a Kern County property, don’t wait to get advice about your rights.

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Serving Our Communities Since 1953

Klein DeNatale Goldner opened its doors in 1953. We are honored to have spent the last seven decades serving the good people in our communities.
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With offices in Bakersfield, Fresno, Pasadena, San Diego, and Santa Barbara, Klein DeNatale Goldner offers legal services to our clients throughout Central and Southern California.

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Members of the Klein DeNatale Goldner legal team are fluent in Spanish and ready to assist our Spanish-speaking clients.
A Practice with Specialized Expertise
Where other firms are often required to outsource, our attorneys have comprehensive experience and knowledge to keep services in-house.

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