Crime Victims in Missouri Have More Options Than You Think
Trusted guidance to help you understand your rights, compensation options, and when property owners can be held responsible.
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Where Are Commercial Property Crimes Most Foreseeable?
Five years of Missouri crime data reveals which property types have the highest rates of violent crime, establishing clear patterns of foreseeability for negligent security cases.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Commercial Property Types
Key Finding: Parking facilities account for 30% of all violent crimes at commercial properties, making them the single most foreseeable high-risk location for premises liability claims.
Data source: FBI's Crime Data Explorer
Explore the Complete Interactive Analysis
See detailed breakdowns by crime type, property rankings, and security failure patterns. Build your case with data-driven evidence that establishes foreseeability and property owner liability.
View Full Interactive Data DashboardUnderstanding Your Situation
The Type of Crime Shapes Your Legal Options
What happened to you matters. Different crimes have different legal considerations, including whether property owners failed in their duty to protect you. Find information relevant to your situation.
Shootings
High-risk locations need security presence and surveillance. Property owners must address foreseeable gun violence.
Stabbings
Weapon screening, security personnel, and response protocols. Owners must prevent foreseeable violent attacks.
Aggravated Assault
Security staff, lighting, and crowd control. Property owners have a duty to prevent foreseeable violence.
Sexual Assault
Proper locks, lighting, surveillance, and patrols. Property owners must protect against foreseeable assaults.
Robbery
Working cameras, adequate lighting, and security presence. Owners are responsible for foreseeable property crimes.
Confidential. Free. Missouri-focused.
Where It Happened Can Change Everything
Property owners (including gas stations, apartments, hotels, parking lots, and bars) have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe premises. When they fail to provide adequate security and someone gets hurt, Missouri law may hold them accountable. Learn how premises liability applies to your situation.
Gas Station Incidents
Lighting, cameras, and staffing standards matter. High-crime locations require heightened security measures.
Apartment & Housing
Security gates, locks, and access controls. Landlords have responsibilities for common area safety.
Hotels & Motels
Guest safety protocols, door locks, and surveillance. Hotels must protect visitors from foreseeable harm.
Parking Lots & Garages
Visibility, patrols, and lighting standards. Owners must address known crime risks in parking areas.
Bars & Nightclubs
Crowd management, security staff, and ejection practices. Establishments must control dangerous situations.
How We Can Help
Whether you need immediate guidance, want to understand your rights, or are exploring civil claims against property owners: start wherever feels right. There's no wrong place to begin.
Immediate Steps & Support
What to do first after a violent crime. Medical care, safety planning, and Missouri's Crime Victims Compensation Program explained.
Your Rights as a Victim
Missouri law protects crime victims throughout the criminal justice process. Learn what you're entitled to and how to access it.
When Property Owners Are Liable
Civil claims are separate from criminal cases. Understand premises liability, negligent security, and when you can hold property owners accountable.
Free Legal Consultation
Get a confidential case evaluation from experienced attorneys. No upfront fees, no obligation. We'll help you understand your legal options.
How It Works
Our process is designed to be straightforward and respectful of your timeline. You're in control every step of the way.
Tell us what happened
Share your situation in whatever way feels comfortable: call, email, or form. You choose how much detail to provide and when you're ready.
We explain your options in plain language
No legal jargon. We'll help you understand victim compensation, your rights in the criminal case, and whether you have a civil claim against the property owner.
We connect you with the right help
No pressure, no rush. When you're ready, we connect you with attorneys who handle premises liability and negligent security cases in Missouri.
What Missouri Crime Victims Should Know
Here's what you should know about your legal rights and options after a violent crime in Missouri.
You Can Pursue Both Criminal and Civil Cases
Criminal cases and civil lawsuits are completely separate legal processes. The criminal case is the state prosecuting the offender. A civil case is you seeking compensation from the property owner whose negligence may have contributed to the crime. You can pursue both, one, or neither. It's your choice.
Property Owners May Be Liable for Inadequate Security
When property owners fail to provide reasonable security measures (like adequate lighting, working cameras, security staff, or access controls), and someone gets hurt in a foreseeable crime, Missouri premises liability law may hold them accountable. If the property had a history of crime and did nothing to prevent it, you may have a negligent security claim.
Time Limits Apply: Early Consultation Helps
Missouri law sets strict deadlines for filing civil claims. You typically have five years from the date of the crime to file a premises liability lawsuit, but gathering evidence early is critical. A free consultation with an attorney can help you understand your timeline and preserve your rights.
Violent Crime in Missouri: The Numbers Tell a Story
Data-driven insights reveal patterns of crime across Missouri, helping establish when property owners should have known to provide better security.
Why This Matters for Your Case: Historical crime data at a location establishes "foreseeability," a key element in premises liability claims. If crime was predictable and security was inadequate, property owners may be liable.
Data source: FBI's Crime Data Explorer
Does Your Case Involve a High-Crime Location?
If your crime occurred at a commercial property with a history of incidents, you may have a negligent security claim. Get a free case evaluation to understand your options.
Free Legal ConsultationFind Help in Your Area
Local resources and experienced attorneys in Missouri's major cities. Get information specific to where you live.
St. Louis
Connect with victim services, legal support, and attorneys handling premises liability cases across the St. Louis metro area.
Kansas City
Find victim advocates, compensation assistance, and experienced negligent security attorneys in the Kansas City area.
Springfield
Local victim resources, counseling services, and legal help for premises liability claims in Springfield and the Ozarks.
Outside these areas? Contact us for statewide resources and attorney connections throughout Missouri
Statewide Resources
These organizations provide support across Missouri. All services are confidential.
MOCSA (Sexual Assault)
Specialized CareSpecialized support for sexual assault survivors
The Covering House
Specialized CareSupport for survivors of trafficking and exploitation
Crime Victims' Compensation Program
Financial AssistanceFinancial assistance for crime-related expenses
Mid-Missouri Legal Services
Legal SupportFree legal help for eligible residents
Important Information
These organizations are independent service providers. We list them to help you find support, but we are not affiliated with them. Services, eligibility, and availability may vary. Always verify details directly with the organization.
Understanding Crime Patterns & Property Owner Liability
Data drives our understanding of when property owners can be held accountable. These insights show patterns that establish foreseeability, the key factor in negligent security cases.
Total documented incidents across Missouri commercial properties (2020-2024), establishing clear patterns of foreseeability
With nearly 5,000 incidents per year, property owners cannot claim violent crime is unforeseeable
Comprehensive analysis from parking lots to hotels reveals security failures across all commercial venues
Missouri Crime Statistics by City
Explore crime data for St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield. Understand neighborhood safety and how crime history establishes property owner liability.
View Crime Data
Property Type Security Analysis
Interactive analysis of 18,000+ violent crimes across 24 property types. See how parking lots, hotels, convenience stores, and other commercial properties compare on security failures.
Explore Interactive DataData Shows When Property Owners Are Liable
Prior crime history is the strongest predictor of premises liability. If your crime occurred at a property with a history of incidents and inadequate security, you may have a negligent security claim.
Data source: FBI's Crime Data Explorer
Free Case EvaluationMissouri Crime Watch
When violent crimes occur at commercial properties, the question often arises: could better security have prevented this? Our coverage examines real incidents and the security failures that may have contributed to them.
Ward Parkway Shopping Center Violent Carjacking
A violent assault and attempted carjacking at a Kansas City shopping center raises questions about security measures following multiple incidents at the property.
Phillips 66 Xpress Mart Convenience Store Homicide
A fatal shooting at a Kansas City convenience store raises questions about security measures at a location with documented prior criminal incidents.
Exploring Security Failures Across Missouri
Our news coverage digs into violent crime incidents at Missouri businesses, examining whether inadequate security may have played a role. If you were a victim, understanding these patterns can help you know your rights.