Negligent security
Joe Stephens is recognized across Texas as the “go to” lawyer for negligent security cases. His most noted victory is against the Quarry Market Mall where he convinced a jury to hand his clients a multimillion dollar verdict for the death of Luis Gutierrez. Mr. Gutierrez was murdered in a botched robbery outside the movie theater. Two hundred other major crimes had occurred prior to this murder, and the Mall’s security did not care enough to beef up their security in order to protect their patrons. The Mall offered $40,000.00 at mediation, then arrogantly withdrew it at trial. Undaunted, Stephens aggressively fought for the family of the Mr. Gutierrez, and the jury responded with one of the larger verdicts in San Antonio wrongful death trials. Stephens then went on to win at the Fourth Court of Appeals as a divided Court, sitting en banc upheld the decision. (meaning the entire seven member court heard the case, a very rare event that happens about once per year). The case is so important for the rights of patrons that the Texas Supreme Court asked Mr. Stephens to personally appear to argue the case so that it could decide this landmark case. A decision in the case is expected soon. Mr. Stephens has taken the burden of fighting against 12 different law firms, and 3 powerful political groups from around the United States, who are now seeking to prevent his clients from collecting the verdict. Hopefully, the Texas Supreme Court will stand its ground, and rule in favor of protecting the patrons of Texas who are put at risk when businesses choose to ignore their responsibility to protect their business patrons.
Joe Stephens has had the opportunity to evaluate many negligent security cases, and knows when it is likely that a business must pay. Generally, the business must have history of crimes on its premises or around it that makes it foreseeable that someone could be harmed. Mr. Stephens hires the best security consultants in the United States to evaluate the risks the business should have protected against, and if the case merits will take the case to a jury trial.
Home | About | Practice | Recoveries | News | Questions | Contact | Sitemap
