Boston Sexual Assault Lawyers

Sexual assaults often occur in places where people should feel safe—but where security protocols fail. We represent survivors who were assaulted in:

• Rideshare vehicles: Sadly, assaults happen more often than people realize in Ubers and Lyfts. Sometimes, the company may contribute to the risk by not taking the time to look into the background of its drivers or by ignoring complaints and other red flags.
• Hotels and motels: Poor security (even something like a lack of sufficient lighting) can create a situation where attacks like sexual assaults are more likely. For example, hotel management may fail to provide secure locks, surveillance, or restrict access to guest-only areas. In such cases, they may be legally responsible for the harm that results.
• Bars, nightclubs, and restaurants: Busy venues can become dangerous when staff fail to monitor guest behavior or respond to signs of trouble. For example, over-serving an already aggressive customer could make that person more dangerous.
• Apartment buildings or housing complexes: Tenants and their guests should feel safe at home. If landlords or property managers ignore broken locks, refuse to install proper lighting, or fail to address known security issues, it might be possible to hold them accountable if an attack takes place on the property.
• Parking lots and garages: These spaces are already isolated and poorly monitored, especially at night. When businesses or property owners fail to install cameras, provide adequate lighting, or station security personnel in high-risk areas, they may be responsible if a visitor suffers a sexual assault.
• Hospitals and care facilities: Patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and treatment centers are particularly vulnerable. They must be able to rely on the staff and administrators for protection. If those in charge fail to enforce proper security protocol or neglect to take complaints about abusive staff members seriously, the facility may face liability.
• College dorms and campus housing: Universities have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm and may also face civil liability. When assaults happen in dorms or during school-sponsored events, schools may be liable for failing to prevent foreseeable violence, especially if they ignored complaints or failed to act on prior incidents.
• Sporting arenas and concert venues: Crowded events require careful security planning. If venue operators cut corners on crowd control, ignore intoxicated or aggressive behavior from patrons, or fail to monitor entry points, they may be liable if an assault occurs during or after the event.

At Santoro & Gray, we investigate not only the assailant, but also property owners, corporations, and employers whose negligence might have made the assault possible.