When you rent or visit an apartment complex in Mississippi, you have every right to expect a basic level of safety. But when a violent crime like a shooting, sexual assault, or armed robbery occurs, the impact is often devastating. Beyond the trauma and injuries, victims are often left with the question: “Who is responsible, and how can I recover compensation for what I’ve suffered?”
At Barrett Law, PLLC, we help Mississippi crime victims pursue justice and compensation when violence happens at apartment complexes. In many cases, these crimes aren’t isolated incidents—they’re the result of negligent security, poor maintenance, or property owners ignoring known dangers.
Attorney Jonathan Barrett is a dedicated Mississippi apartment injury lawyer with decades of experience helping individuals and families secure financial compensation after preventable crimes occur on rental properties. If you’ve been harmed, you deserve clear answers and powerful legal representation.
When Apartment Complexes Fail to Protect Their Residents
Violent crimes at apartment complexes are more common than many people realize. In Mississippi, we’ve represented clients in cases involving:
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Shootings in apartment parking lots
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Sexual assaults due to broken gates or poor lighting
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Stabbings or beatings inside common areas
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Armed robberies in stairwells and hallways
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Break-ins due to faulty locks or unsecured doors
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Murders resulting from foreseeable criminal activity
In many of these cases, the violence could have been prevented if the landlord or property management had taken reasonable security measures. When they don’t, they may be held civilly liable—and the victim may be entitled to financial recovery.
Can You Sue an Apartment Complex for a Crime in Mississippi?
Yes. If a landlord, property owner, or management company failed to provide adequate security and that failure led to a violent crime, they may be held legally responsible for your injuries, losses, and emotional trauma.
This type of lawsuit is called a negligent security claim, and it falls under Mississippi premises liability law.
Property owners must take reasonable steps to protect tenants, guests, and visitors from foreseeable criminal acts. That includes:
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Installing and maintaining proper lighting in parking areas and walkways
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Securing doors, gates, and access points
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Responding to tenant complaints or previous crime reports
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Hiring or contracting with qualified security personnel when appropriate
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Fixing broken locks, windows, or alarms promptly
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Warning residents of recent criminal activity
When these duties are ignored, and someone is hurt or killed as a result, the property owner may be held accountable in court.
Who Is Affected and Why Legal Action Matters
Typical Victims
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Apartment tenants harmed by intruders or known threats
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Visitors or family members attacked in common areas
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Children harmed due to poorly secured entrances
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Delivery drivers or service workers victimized on the premises
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Residents caught in crossfire during shootings
The aftermath of violent crime is more than physical. It often includes:
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Ongoing medical treatment or disability
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PTSD, anxiety, and emotional distress
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Loss of income or inability to return to work
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Funeral expenses and loss of companionship in fatal cases
For many victims and families, a civil lawsuit is the only path to financial recovery and accountability.
Legal Obligations Under Mississippi Law
Mississippi premises liability law holds that property owners and managers owe a duty of care to maintain reasonably safe premises. This duty includes protecting lawful visitors from known or foreseeable dangers, including criminal acts.
Foreseeability Standard
To hold an apartment complex liable for criminal activity, your legal team must usually prove:
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The property owner knew or should have known that there was a risk of violent crime
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The crime was foreseeable based on past incidents or obvious dangers
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The owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the harm
This does not mean every crime results in a viable lawsuit. But if the complex had a history of break-ins, prior shootings, or frequent police visits—and failed to improve security—they could be found liable.
Relevant Mississippi Case Law
Mississippi courts have recognized negligent security as a legitimate cause of action. While every case depends on its facts, precedent supports that apartment owners may be responsible for harm caused by criminal acts when they fail to provide adequate safety measures.
What Compensation Can Crime Victims Receive?
If you were injured in a violent crime at a Mississippi apartment complex, you may be entitled to:
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Past and future medical expenses
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Lost income and diminished earning capacity
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Pain and suffering
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Mental and emotional trauma
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Property damage (e.g., stolen vehicle, broken phone)
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Funeral expenses and wrongful death damages (if applicable)
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Punitive damages in extreme negligence cases
Every case is different. Attorney Jonathan Barrett will work to fully investigate your loss, identify all responsible parties, and demand maximum compensation on your behalf.
Steps to Take After a Crime at an Apartment Complex
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Call the Police Immediately
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File a police report and request a copy.
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This establishes an official record and triggers an investigation.
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Get Medical Attention
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Even if injuries seem minor, prompt medical care helps protect your health and your claim.
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Document the Scene
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Take photos of lighting, gates, broken locks, or anything that contributed to the danger.
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Speak with Witnesses
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Get names and contact information for neighbors, visitors, or employees who saw the incident.
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Notify the Apartment Management
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Report the crime and keep a copy of any written communication or incident reports.
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Contact a Mississippi Apartment Injury Lawyer
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Do not accept an insurance settlement or sign any documents before understanding your legal rights.
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Apartment Lawsuit Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue the apartment complex even if the attacker hasn’t been caught?
Yes. Civil liability doesn’t depend on a criminal conviction. If the property owner failed to provide reasonable security and that failure allowed the crime to occur, they may still be held responsible.
What if the attacker was another tenant?
You may still have a claim. If the complex ignored warnings about that tenant’s threats, violent behavior, or prior arrests, they may have negligently allowed a dangerous person to remain on the property.
Is a landlord responsible for shootings that happen in the parking lot?
Potentially. Parking lots and other common areas must be safely maintained. If poor lighting, lack of cameras, or open access contributed to the shooting—and there was a history of violence—the complex may be liable.
Can I recover compensation if my child was injured in an apartment crime?
Yes. Minors have the same rights to legal protection, and you can file a claim on their behalf. Additional emotional damages may apply in these cases.
How do I prove the apartment complex knew about the danger?
We can subpoena police records, prior complaints, 911 calls, tenant emails, security logs, and maintenance reports to show that the landlord had knowledge and failed to act.
Do I have to be a tenant to file a claim?
No. Guests, visitors, and even delivery drivers can bring claims if they were legally on the property and injured due to the owner’s negligence.
What if the landlord says the crime wasn’t their fault?
Landlords often try to shift blame. But if they knew the property was dangerous and did nothing to fix it, that failure may be the cause of your injuries.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Mississippi?
The statute of limitations is generally three years from the date of injury, but it’s important to start building your case early while evidence is still available.
Can I file a wrongful death lawsuit if my loved one was killed at an apartment complex?
Yes. Mississippi law allows certain family members to pursue a wrongful death claim, including damages for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering.
Do I have to pay anything upfront to hire a lawyer?
No. Barrett Law, PLLC handles apartment injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Harmed on an Apartment Complex in Mississippi? Call Mississippi Apartment Injury Claim Attorney Jonathan Barrett 24/7/365 at (601) 790-1505 for Your FREE Consultation
If you were the victim of a violent crime at a Mississippi apartment complex, you may be entitled to compensation—but the process isn’t easy, and the landlord’s insurance company will work hard to avoid responsibility. At Barrett Law, PLLC, we fight for crime victims and families across the state, holding negligent property owners accountable and demanding full justice for the harm done.
We serve clients throughout Mississippi, including Jackson, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Southaven, Biloxi, Olive Branch, Tupelo, Meridian, Madison, Oxford, Clinton, Horn Lake, Pearl, Brandon, and every county in the state.
📞 Call (601) 790-1505 any time—24/7/365—to schedule your free and confidential consultation with Attorney Jonathan Barrett.
Let us fight for the justice and compensation you and your family deserve.
