"When I was injured due to inadequate security at a retail center in Columbus, I felt completely lost. This firm quickly stepped in, investigated the facts, and held the property owner accountable for their negligence. They treated my case with dignity and professionalism, securing a settlement that covered my medical bills and lost wages. I highly recommend them for any crime-related injury on someone else's property."
Injury Due to Sexual Assault: Personal Injury Attorneys Protecting the Rights of Individuals throughout The State of Ohio
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Sexual Assault Injury due to Broken Locks on Entry Doors in Apartment Buildings: Crime Related Injury Lawyer
Experienced Premise Liability Injury Attorney providing Personal Injury representation involving Criminal Sexual Assault Injury due to Broken Locks on Entry Doors in Apartment Buildings throughout the State of Ohio.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule a Free Consultation with on of our Experienced Criminal Activity Related Personal Injury Attorneys.
Ohio Negligent Security Attorney: Sexual Assault Due to Broken Locks
A residential tenant should feel secure within their own home. However, when apartment owners and landlords neglect essential security features—such as leaving broken locks on entry doors—they create a direct avenue for violent criminal sexual assault and attack.
In Ohio, landlords have a legal duty to maintain the safety of their premises, including functional locks on common area and apartment unit doors. If you or a loved one suffered a criminal sexual assault because the property owner failed to repair or replace broken security devices, our experienced Personal Injury Attorney team can help. We specialize in Negligent Security and Premises Liability claims, fighting to hold negligent landlords financially responsible.
Landlord's Duty to Maintain Locks Under Ohio Revised Code
Ohio law places specific obligations on residential landlords. Specifically, Ohio Revised Code (R.C.) 5321.04(A)(2) requires a landlord to "make all repairs and do whatever is reasonably necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition." A broken, non-functioning, or inadequate lock on an entry door directly compromises the habitability and safety of the unit or common area.
A successful Negligent Security claim relies on proving the landlord breached this duty and that the criminal sexual assault was foreseeable:
- Breach of Statutory Duty: The landlord violated R.C. 5321.04 by failing to repair broken locks after being notified, or by failing to proactively maintain security devices, thereby making the property vulnerable.
- Foreseeability: We utilize Ohio's Totality of the Circumstances Test to prove the criminal act was foreseeable. This involves reviewing prior incidents, police reports, and crime rates in the neighborhood to show the landlord had notice that security failure would likely lead to an attack.
- Actual or Constructive Notice: The landlord had actual notice (e.g., the tenant reported the broken lock in writing) or constructive notice (the lock had been obviously broken for an extended period) but failed to act within a reasonable time.
Proving Direct Causation: Broken Locks Enabling Assault
For a Premises Liability claim to succeed in Ohio, we must prove that the landlord's negligence—the failure to fix the broken locks—was the direct and proximate cause of the criminal sexual assault. The negligent condition must have directly enabled the assailant's access.
- Unsecured Access: We argue that the broken lock allowed the assailant easy, non-forced entry into the building's common area or the tenant's unit, proving that a working lock would have prevented or deterred the crime.
- Specific Knowledge: If the tenant provided written notice of the broken lock and the landlord neglected the repair, this demonstrates a heightened level of negligence and a direct link between the inaction and the resulting sexual assault.
- Violent Crime History: The failure to maintain basic physical security is especially egregious when the apartment complex is located in an area with a history of past break-ins, assaults, or sex offenses.
Evidence, Damages, & Ohio's Statute of Limitations
A criminal sexual assault inflicts life-altering physical, emotional, and psychological injuries. We work immediately to preserve evidence that proves landlord negligence:
- Written Communications: Gathering all emails, texts, and certified letters used by the tenant to notify the landlord of the broken locks.
- Forensic Documentation: Working with experts to document the condition of the entry door and lock mechanism immediately following the assault to prove its defective state.
- Crime Statistics: Collecting police records and data to establish the foreseeability of criminal activity at the specific property address.
The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in Ohio (R.C. 2305.10) is typically two years from the date of the criminal sexual assault. Victims are entitled to recover compensation for extensive medical costs, psychological counseling and therapy, lost wages, and profound non-economic damages, including pain and suffering and emotional distress.
Contact Our Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one suffered a criminal sexual assault due to a landlord’s failure to fix broken locks on entry doors at an apartment complex in Ohio, contact our compassionate and experienced legal team.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule your Free Consultation.
Contact Us Today!
Office:
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
Call: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297
Contact Us Today!
Office:
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
Call: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297
What Our Clients Say
After prolonged exposure to toxic mold at my workplace, I started experiencing severe health issues. Proving the connection to the business's negligence felt impossible until I hired this firm. They were brilliant, connecting my health problems to the landlord's failure to address water damage. They gave me my health and my life back by securing a significant settlement. For mold-related injury cases, they are unparalleled."
"My accident at a poorly maintained apartment complex pool in Dayton was terrifying. I suffered a serious head injury. This law firm was incredible; they immediately started investigating the pool's safety records and maintenance log. Their work resulted in a successful claim against the property management. If you've been injured at a pool in Ohio, you want this firm on your side."
"The defective stairs at a restaurant in Toledo caused a significant knee injury. The property owner initially refused to pay, but this firm took on the challenge. They brought in experts to show the code violations and built an undeniable case. Thanks to their legal expertise, I received a fair settlement that allows me to focus on my recovery. They truly excel with cases involving unsafe property conditions."
"My child was tragically bitten by a dog at a neighbor's property in Akron. Navigating the aftermath and dealing with the owners was incredibly stressful. The team at this law firm was compassionate yet fiercely effective. They understood Ohio's dog bite laws thoroughly and fought to ensure my child received the necessary medical care and compensation for their trauma. They are the best dog bite attorneys in the state."
"I had a terrible slip and fall accident on a wet floor at a grocery store in Cincinnati that led to a serious fracture. The store tried to deny responsibility, but this firm's meticulous preparation and dedication proved the store's negligence. They were communicative throughout the entire process, making a stressful situation much easier to handle. Choose them if you need a top-notch slip and fall lawyer."
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PH: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 • OFFICE LOCATION • 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd. Columbus, OH 43220