Negligent Security at Apartment Complexes in Pennsylvania: Can You Sue Your Landlord in Luzerne County?

If you were assaulted, robbed, or injured during a crime at your apartment complex in Luzerne County—whether it happened in a poorly lit parking lot, a stairwell with a broken lock, or a building where security problems were repeatedly ignored—you may be wondering whether your landlord can be held responsible.

In many cases, the answer is yes.
Under Pennsylvania law, landlords and property owners can be held liable for negligent security when their failure to provide safe conditions leads to a preventable crime.

What Is Negligent Security in Pennsylvania?

Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim. It arises when a property owner fails to provide adequate safety measures, and that failure leads to a preventable crime or injury.

Examples of negligent security in apartment complexes include:

• Broken or missing locks on apartment doors
• Poor or inadequate lighting in hallways or parking lots
• Non-functioning or missing security cameras
• Untrained or absent security guards
• Failure to act after repeated criminal incidents
• Broken gates or unsecured entry points

Quite simply, landlords must take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable crimes.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Negligent Security Case?

The most common defendants include:

• Property owners or landlords
• Apartment complex management companies
• Private security contractors
• Maintenance providers who failed to fix locks, lights, or gates
• Developers or builders (in cases involving code violations)

To win, your attorney must prove:

1. Duty of Care – the landlord had a legal duty to keep the premises safe
2. Breach of Duty – security failures (like broken locks or no cameras) existed
3. Foreseeability – the crime was predictable (especially after prior incidents)
4. Causation – the security lapse directly caused your injuries
5. Damages – you suffered harm (medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma)

What Crimes Trigger Negligent Security Claims?

Negligent security lawsuits in PA often involve:

• Robbery or mugging
• Assault or battery
• Sexual assault
• Burglary or home invasion
• Homicide

Often, tenants report suspicious activity or prior crimes, but landlords fail to respond. This history can make liability easier to prove.

Compensation Available in Negligent Security Lawsuits

If your case succeeds, you may recover damages such as:

• Medical expenses & rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages or loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress or PTSD
• Property loss or relocation costs
• In rare cases, punitive damages for gross negligence

Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Case

• Waiting too long to file (PA statute of limitations = 2 years)
• Failing to call the police or notify building management
• Posting about the incident on social media without legal advice
• Trying to handle the case without a personal injury lawyer

Why Luzerne County Landlords Can't Claim Ignorance

Areas like Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, Pittston, Hazleton, Nanticoke, and Edwardsville have densely populated apartment complexes where landlords know or should know that safety problems—broken lights, unsecured entrances, prior criminal incidents—require immediate action.

When landlords ignore these dangers, people get hurt.
Pennsylvania law holds them accountable.

Contact Sklarosky Law Today

If you were attacked or injured at an apartment complex in Luzerne County or the surrounding communities, you may be entitled to compensation from the landlord, property management company, or other negligent parties.

Don't try to handle this alone. Negligent security cases are complex and require immediate investigation.

Call Sklarosky Law today at (570) 283-1200 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
We fight for victims of violent crimes and hold negligent landlords accountable.