St. Louis, Missouri – Sumner Law Group, a St. Louis-based personal injury firm, has reached a $15 million settlement on behalf of the family of a 66-year-old retired man who was killed due to negligent security. The settlement resolves wrongful death claims the firm brought against a security company and a security guard, following a long and hard-fought case.
The case highlights a part of negligent security law that families often overlook. When a business hires a security company, the company and its guards take on a job that people on the property rely on, and that job carries legal responsibility when it is not done with reasonable care.
Negligent security claims arise when inadequate protection contributes to harm on someone else’s property. In cases involving private security, the evidence often centers on the security contract, the written instructions given to guards at their posts, staffing and patrol records, and the training each guard received. Much of that information is held by the companies involved and comes out through formal discovery.
These cases can take years to resolve. Property owners, security companies, and their insurers frequently dispute who was responsible for each part of the security plan, and defendants often argue that the harm could not have been prevented.
“When a company is hired to keep people safe, and that protection breaks down, the family left behind should not have to fight for answers alone,” said Brent Sumner of Sumner Law Group. “This family stayed with a long, difficult case because accountability mattered to them.”
Sumner Law Group represents individuals and families harmed by negligent security, including families pursuing wrongful death claims after a fatal security failure. The firm’s attorneys prepare each case for litigation from the beginning, move quickly to examine security records before they disappear, and deal directly with the insurers for every party involved.
In Missouri and Illinois, wrongful death laws allow certain family members or an estate representative to seek compensation after the loss of a loved one. Filing deadlines are strict, generally three years in Missouri and two years in Illinois, which makes early legal guidance important for families considering a claim.
Past results do not predict or promise a similar outcome. Every case depends on its own facts and the law that applies.
Sumner Law Group, LLC is a St. Louis-based personal injury firm representing people and families in Missouri and Illinois after car, truck, and motorcycle crashes, negligent security incidents, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful deaths. The firm features attorney Brent Sumner, who was recognized by Super Lawyers in 2025 and 2026. Brent also earned recognition from Best Lawyers for 2026 in Medical Malpractice Law, Personal Injury Litigation, and Product Liability Litigation. Sumner Law Group offers free consultations and handles injury cases on a contingency fee basis, with no upfront fees. The firm is available 24/7 at (314) 669-0048.
Sumner Law Group, LLC
7777 Bonhomme Avenue Suite 2100, St. Louis, MO 63105
(314) 669-0048
https://www.sumnerlawgroup.com
Press Contact : Brent Sumner
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