Samer Habbas & Associates Earns Recognition for $2.675 Million Settlement in Wrongful Death Case

Plaintiff v. Shelter Was the No. 1 Settlement for a Negligent Security Case in Los Angeles County

Samer Habbas & Associates has received recognition from Top Verdict for a $2,675,000 policy limit settlement on behalf of a woman who was killed in an attack at a Los Angeles County interim housing facility.

The verdict was the number one settlement in Los Angeles County in 2025 across three separate categories, including murder, negligent security, and shelter premises liability.

A Wrongful Death That Resulted From Preventable Security Failures

 Plaintiff v. Shelter focused on the murder of a woman who was living at an interim housing facility that was being operated by a private nonprofit in Los Angeles County. The victim was killed by another resident who lived at the facility.

The perpetrator had a documented history of violent outbursts, incarceration, and mental instability. And the days leading up to the murder, the victim began to experience escalating forms of harassment and threats involving the perpetrator. She repeatedly expressed fear for her own safety while living at the facility.

In the hours leading up to her untimely death, the victim even called her own case manager to ask for assistance. Unfortunately, meaningful action that could’ve saved her was not taken. This case was not simply about the criminal conduct of the person who committed this heinous act of murder. It is about the lack of action that was taken to protect her from a foreseeable source of harm.

Our firm argued that the defendant failed to take reasonable measures to protect the victim and other residents from violence. The nonprofit at the center of the lawsuit outsourced security measures to a third-party company. We uncovered evidence that demonstrated that the guards assigned to watch over the facility were not armed and improperly trained to respond to serious incidents of violence.

The Responsibility of Property Owners in California

Property owners in California have a legal obligation to take reasonable measures to protect tenants and guests from foreseeable sources of harm. Pursuant to California Civil Code 1714, “Everyone is responsible, not only for the result of his or her willful acts, but also for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of his or her property or person, except so far as the latter has, willfully or by want of ordinary care, brought the injury upon himself or herself.” The duty to protect also extends to taking reasonable measures to prevent violent criminal conduct. There are several measures that property owners should take to prevent violent outbursts like the one that killed our client.

• Property owners should conduct regular security assessments that identify all of the potential sources of harm.
• Property owners should thoroughly investigate all resident complaints, threats, and reports of harassment.
• Property owners should maintain an adequate security presence that is trained to handle escalating violence.
• Property owners should establish clear protocols with respect to threats, intimidation, or other forms of violent behavior.
• Property owners should do everything in their power to separate individuals who have a known history of conflict or violent interactions.

When a property owner fails to take reasonable measures to protect guests from violence, this could serve as evidence of negligence and could form the basis of a negligent security claim. The level of security necessary at any property will depend heavily on the unique facts and situations that a property owner is dealing with. Nonprofits and businesses that are in low crime areas where there is little conflict between residents may only need very modest security measures. On the other hand, nonprofits and businesses that routinely deal with residents who have a history of mental illness or violent outbursts will tend to need much stronger security measures.

Holding Institutions Accountable for Preventable Violence

We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC were very pleased to secure this $2.675 million settlement on behalf of our client. The violent murder in this case was entirely preventable and the result of multiple security failures that should never have occurred. It is our sincere hope that this settlement will bring some measure of resolution to the victim’s daughter and move other nonprofits to improve their own security protocols.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a violent crime at a nonprofit or business in Los Angeles County? You may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Our team of experienced premises liability attorneys is here to help you. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and protecting those rights through skilled legal representation. Whether you just have questions or are wondering how an attorney might be able to help with your unique situation, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.