Find a negligent security lawyer in Chandler after an attack on someone's property
If you were attacked at a Chandler apartment, bar or parking lot, report it to police first. You generally have 2 years to sue the property owner. Arizona looks at your relationship with that owner, not just whether the attack could be predicted. Crime Victim Compensation may help with bills now.
Last checked November 9, 2026 · Official sources (32)
Can I sue a property owner after an attack in Chandler?
You can bring a claim only if the owner owed you a duty and failed it. Chandler Police reported that 2023 had an 18% drop in serious crimes and the lowest crime index in over 40 years. That is good for the city, but a low city-wide number does not settle what happened at one apartment or one bar.
Arizona's rule surprises people. The state Supreme Court has said foreseeability does not decide whether a duty exists. A duty comes from a special relationship the law recognizes, or from public policy. Past crimes at the property can still help prove the owner was careless once a duty is shown.
| Where it happened | Where a duty may come from | Who usually pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rented apartment, shared area | A landlord must keep common areas clean and safe | The landlord's insurer |
| Voucher rental with a broken lock | Chandler's inspection list requires working locks and deadbolts | The landlord's insurer |
| Bar or restaurant | Business and customer relationship; serving an obviously drunk attacker can matter | The business's insurer |
| City property or public housing | Public entity duty | City of Chandler; 180-day claim |
What proof should I get after an attack at a Chandler property?
- Call 911. Chandler's online police form cannot be used for incidents tied to City of Chandler property.
- For a crime without immediate danger, the non-emergency number is 480-782-4130.
- Get a copy of your report from Police Records, 250 East Chicago Street, 480-782-4001.
- Send the owner or manager a written request to keep its video, gate logs and incident reports.
- Ask police if a camera captured the event. The Real-Time Crime Center uses surveillance and traffic cameras on emergency calls.
- Ask for records of earlier calls at that address. The city says there is no charge to view most records.
We could not find a public Chandler map or list of past police calls by address. You will likely need a records request, and some parts may be blacked out.
If a guard was on duty, find the company name. Arizona DPS licenses security guards and agencies and takes complaints about them. Anyone with information who wants to stay anonymous can use Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or, in Spanish, 480-TESTIGO.
Who pays for my injuries after an attack in Chandler?
The attacker often has no insurance and little money. That is why these claims look to the property's insurer. Still, Arizona has a hard rule here. A jury weighs everyone who contributed, even a person who was never sued, and each defendant pays only its own percentage. If a jury puts most of the blame on the attacker, the owner pays only its smaller share.
Your own share of fault also lowers the award, but does not end the claim.
Help is available while a claim is pending. The Crime Victim Compensation Program, run through the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, can help with medical, mental health and wage loss costs. It covers out-of-pocket costs such as counseling and lost wages. Applications go through the county attorney's office. Chandler's advocates help with that application.
Does my Chandler lease stop me from suing over poor security?
A lease clause that tries to wipe out a landlord's legal liability is not allowed under Arizona's rental law. If your property manager points to a clause that says the complex has no duty, ask a lawyer to read it. Keep the lease, every written complaint about lights, gates or locks, and the date you sent each one.
A tenant in a voucher unit can also ask for an inspection. Chandler Housing says a special inspection will be done after a complaint, including from a tenant. Call 480-782-3200.
What if the attack happened on Chandler city property?
City property changes the clock. Serve a notice of claim on the City Clerk within 180 days. File online, hand it in at 175 South Arizona Avenue, 1st Floor, or mail it to PO Box 4008, Mail Stop 606, Chandler 85244-4008. Email does not count. The lawsuit is due within 1 year. Public housing the city owns falls under this same rule.
How do I follow the criminal case in Chandler?
Through the Victim Information Portal, you can see case status and sign up for an automatic notice when the offender is arrested. Chandler Fire's crisis team can give 24-hour emotional and practical support when police or firefighters at the scene ask for it. Your civil deadline keeps running no matter how the criminal case goes.
Questions
How long do I have to sue for negligent security in Chandler?
Generally 2 years. A claim against the City of Chandler is due in 180 days.
Does a low crime rate mean I have no case?
No. A city-wide number does not decide your case. Arizona asks whether the owner owed you a duty.
Can I get money even if no one is arrested?
Possibly. Crime Victim Compensation has its own rules, and a civil claim against the property is separate.
Who can help me for free right now?
Chandler Police Victim Advocates at 480-782-4535. They cannot give legal advice.
Attacked because of poor security in Chandler? See if you are owed money.
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See if I’m owed moneySources (32)
- A.R.S. § 12-542, checked 2026-11-08. “within two years after the cause of action accrues”
- Arizona Supreme Court, Quiroz v. ALCOA (2018), checked 2026-11-09. “foreseeability is not a factor in determining duty”
- Arizona Supreme Court, Quiroz v. ALCOA (2018), checked 2026-11-09. “duty is based on either special relationships recognized by the common law or relationships created by public policy”
- Maricopa County Attorney, Victim Related Information, checked 2026-11-08. “to assist crime victims and their families with crime-related expenses such as medical, mental health, funeral, crime scene clean up, and wage loss”
- Chandler Police, Victim Services Unit, checked 2026-11-08. “For more information, call 480-782-4535 or email [email protected]”
- City of Chandler, Law Department, checked 2026-11-08. “you must serve a notice of claim on the Chandler City Clerk”
- A.R.S. 12-2506, checked 2026-11-09. “the trier of fact shall consider the fault of all persons who contributed to the alleged injury”
- A.R.S. 12-2506, checked 2026-11-09. “Each defendant is liable only for the amount of damages allocated to that defendant in direct proportion to that defendant's percentage of fault”
- City of Chandler, checked 2026-11-09. “With a notable 18% decrease in serious crimes from the previous year and a crime index (number of crimes) at its lowest in over 40 years”
- A.R.S. 33-1324, checked 2026-11-09. “Keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition.”
- City of Chandler, checked 2026-11-09. “All ground floor windows must have attached locks and exterior doors must have locks including working deadbolts.”
- Arizona Revised Statutes 4-311, checked 2026-11-08. “A licensee is liable for property damage and personal injuries”
- Chandler Police, File a Police Report, checked 2026-11-08. “Any damage or incident related to City of Chandler property”
- Chandler Police, Non-Emergencies, checked 2026-11-08. “non-emergency number, 480-782-4130, should be used to report delayed crimes”
- Chandler Police, Request a Police Report, checked 2026-11-08. “7:00 am – 5:00 pm – Closed Holidays – 480-782-4001”
- City of Chandler, checked 2026-11-09. “The RTCC integrates advanced mapping, surveillance and traffic cameras, drones and other police technology to locate and gather information related to emergency calls.”
- City of Chandler, checked 2026-11-09. “There is no charge to view most records.”
- Arizona Department of Public Safety, checked 2026-11-09. “oversees the licensing, regulation, and compliance of security guards, security agencies, private investigators, investigative agencies, and certified trainers. The Unit also receives and reviews public complaints”
- Silent Witness, Contact, checked 2026-11-08. “480-TESTIGO (480-837-8446)”
- A.R.S. § 12-2505, checked 2026-11-08. “the claimant's action is not barred, but the full damages shall be reduced in proportion to the relative degree of the claimant's fault”
- Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, checked 2026-11-09. “Victim Compensation may help pay for out-of-pocket expenses including: medical costs, funeral expenses, mental health counseling, wage loss, transportation costs, and crime scene cleanup.”
- Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, checked 2026-11-09. “resides locally in each of Arizona's 15 county attorney's offices”
- A.R.S. 33-1315, checked 2026-11-09. “Agrees to the exculpation or limitation of any liability of the landlord arising under law”
- City of Chandler, checked 2026-11-09. “In addition, in the case of an emergency or complaint by the landlord, tenant, Housing Authority, or general complaint, a special inspection will be done.”
- City of Chandler, checked 2026-11-09. “contact our office at 480-782-3200, 7-1-1 TTY options: English 800-367-8939 / Español 800-842-2088; or in person at 235 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ 85225”
- City of Chandler, Law Department, checked 2026-11-08. “Hand deliver a completed and signed copy of the Liability Claim Form to the Chandler City Clerk at: City Hall 175 S. Arizona Ave., 1st Floor Chandler, AZ 85225”
- City of Chandler, Law Department, checked 2026-11-08. “Please note that emailing your claim does not constitute proper filing or service.”
- A.R.S. § 12-821, checked 2026-11-08. “shall be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues and not afterward”
- City of Chandler, checked 2026-11-09. “The rental units in this program are owned and operated by the City of Chandler for the benefit of HUD.”
- Chandler Police, Victim Services Unit, checked 2026-11-08. “You will be able to view your case status and register a phone number and/or email address where you want to be notified automatically when the offender in your case is arrested.”
- City of Chandler, Crisis Response Programs, checked 2026-11-08. “provide 24-hour physical, social and emotional support to community members during times of acute crisis”
- Arizona Revised Statutes 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-08. “within one hundred eighty days after the cause of action accrues”