A crime victim civil case is a lawsuit filed by the victim of a crime or their family to recover financial compensation for the harm caused by that crime. It is separate from any criminal prosecution and is handled entirely in civil court.

While the criminal justice system focuses on punishing the offender, a civil case focuses on compensating the victim. You can pursue a civil claim regardless of whether the perpetrator was arrested, charged, or convicted and regardless of whether a criminal case is ongoing.

Crime victim civil cases often go beyond suing the perpetrator. When a property owner, business, landlord, or other third party contributed to the conditions that made the crime possible through negligent security, inadequate lighting, broken locks, or ignored warning signs, they can also be held legally accountable. This is critical when the perpetrator has no money to pay a judgment.

These are two completely separate legal proceedings with different goals, standards, and outcomes:

• Criminal case: Brought by the government (state or federal) to punish the offender. The standard of proof is “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Even if a criminal conviction occurs, victims receive no direct financial compensation from the process.
• Civil case: Brought by the victim to recover money damages. The standard of proof is “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning it is more likely than not that the defendant is responsible. A civil case can succeed even if the criminal case fails or was never filed.

Many crime victims are surprised to learn that a “not guilty” verdict in criminal court does not prevent them from winning a civil case. The standards are entirely different.

The following individuals may be eligible to pursue a crime victim civil claim:

• Direct victims: those who experienced physical injury, emotional harm, or financial loss as a result of a crime
• Family members of victims who were killed or incapacitated: including wrongful death claims
• Good Samaritans: individuals harmed while attempting to intervene in or prevent a crime
• Witnesses: who suffered physical injury or severe emotional distress from witnessing a violent crime

Eligibility for certain compensation programs may also require that you reported the crime to law enforcement, cooperated with investigators, and suffered losses not fully covered by other sources such as insurance. Contact MRH Injury Law for a free consultation to understand your specific options.

Our Kansas City crime victim attorneys have 40+ years of combined experience with cases including:

• Assault and battery
• Robbery and burglary
• Sexual assault and rape
• Domestic violence
• Stalking
• Wrongful death
• Elder abuse and nursing home abuse
• Child abuse
• Hate crimes
• Premises liability crimes
• Drunk driving accidents
• White-collar crimes — embezzlement, identity theft, financial fraud
• Cybercrimes — hacking, online scams, cyberbullying

If you suffered harm as the result of a crime and are unsure whether you have a case, contact us. We evaluate every situation carefully and frequently take cases other firms have turned down.

Yes, and in many cases, this is where the real path to compensation lies. Even if the person who hurt you has no money or assets, they are often not the only party at fault. MRH Injury Law investigates every angle to identify all responsible parties.

Common third-party defendants in crime victim cases include:

• Property owners and landlords who failed to provide adequate security or address known safety risks
• Bars and nightclubs who over-served alcohol or failed to manage a foreseeable violent situation
• Hotels and motels who ignored criminal activity patterns on or near the property
• Apartment complexes with broken locks, inadequate lighting, or no security personnel
• Parking garages and lots with poor lighting, no cameras, and no security presence
• Retailers and shopping centers who failed to respond to known threats
• Employers when a crime occurs in the workplace due to inadequate safety measures

If there was a failure of security, supervision, or safety that contributed to the crime, we will find it and hold the responsible party accountable.

This is one of the most common concerns crime victims have, and one of the most important reasons to work with an experienced attorney who knows how to identify all sources of recovery. Even when the perpetrator is judgment-proof (has no meaningful assets), other parties may carry significant insurance coverage: a property owner’s commercial liability policy, a bar’s liquor liability insurance, a hotel’s general liability coverage, or a landlord’s premises policy.

These insurance-backed defendants are often where crime victims actually recover compensation. MRH Injury Law also helps clients understand Missouri’s Tort Victims’ Compensation Fund, which may provide a source of payment when no other recovery is available.

Negligent security is a form of premises liability that holds property owners responsible when inadequate security measures allow a foreseeable crime to occur. It is the legal bridge between a criminal act and a third-party civil claim.

To establish negligent security, we typically show:

• Criminal activity at or near the property was foreseeable based on prior incidents, police reports, or the nature of the business
• The property owner failed to implement reasonable security measures such as adequate lighting, working locks, security cameras, or trained security personnel
• That failure directly contributed to the crime that harmed you

Negligent security cases are among the most complex, and most valuable, in premises liability law. MRH Injury Law has the investigative resources, expert network, and trial experience to pursue them effectively.

In 1965, the Missouri Legislature established the Tort Victims’ Compensation Fund (also called the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund) to compensate victims of wrongful conduct who are unable to recover from the responsible party. The fund is financed by half of all punitive damages collected in Missouri civil cases.

If you have been harmed by a crime and cannot recover compensation from the perpetrator or any other responsible party, you may be eligible to make a claim to this fund.

MRH Injury Law can evaluate whether this avenue applies to your situation and guide you through the claims process. Read more in our blog.

Taking the right steps after a crime protects both your safety and your legal claim:

• Call the police immediately and make sure a report is filed — ask for a copy.
• Seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries are not immediately apparent, and medical records are critical evidence.
• Photograph the scene, your injuries, and any physical evidence before conditions change.
• Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
• Save all documents — the police report, medical records, receipts, and any communications related to the incident.
• Do not sign anything or give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
• Contact MRH Injury Law as soon as possible. Evidence disappears quickly, and surveillance footage is often overwritten within days.

No. Your civil claim is independent of any criminal investigation or prosecution. You do not need an identified suspect, an arrest, or a conviction to pursue a civil case.

Civil cases use a lower standard of proof than criminal cases. In a civil court, we only need to show that it is more likely than not that the defendant is responsible, not prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. MRH Injury Law has successfully recovered significant compensation in crime victim cases where the perpetrator was never identified or prosecuted.

The evidence needed depends on the specific facts, but strong crime victim cases are typically built on:

• Police reports and 911 call records documenting the incident
• Medical records establishing the nature and extent of injuries
• Surveillance footage from the crime scene and surrounding area
• Criminal history of the location including police data, prior incident reports, and 911 call logs
• Security inspection records, maintenance logs, and staffing records
• Witness statements from people who saw the incident or knew about prior problems
• Expert testimony from security industry professionals on applicable standards of care
• Documentation of financial losses including lost wages, medical bills, property damage

Time is the enemy in these cases. Our attorneys move quickly to preserve evidence, secure expert witnesses, and build the strongest possible case before anything disappears.

MRH Injury Law pursues every form of compensation available, including:

• Medical expenses — past and future, including emergency care, surgery, therapy, and ongoing treatment
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• Psychological trauma and counseling costs
• Property damage
• Loss of consortium for the impact on spousal and family relationships
• Wrongful death damages including funeral expenses, lost financial support, and grief for surviving family members
• Punitive damages in cases of especially egregious conduct by a third party

How much you recover depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of liability evidence, whether the responsible parties can pay, and where your case is filed. Read more about the top 5 things that affect case value.

Statutes of limitations vary by state and by the type of claim. In Missouri, most personal injury claims, including crime victim cases, generally must be filed within five years. In Kansas, the general deadline is two years.

However, there are important exceptions. Claims against government entities, certain sexual abuse cases, and cases involving minors may have different, sometimes longer, sometimes much shorter deadlines.

Do not wait. Evidence disappears fast. Surveillance footage is overwritten, witnesses move on, and crime scene conditions change. Contact an attorney immediately after a crime to protect your rights.

Crime victim civil cases require a different kind of law firm, one willing to do the hard investigative work, identify every party at fault, and take the case to trial if necessary. That is exactly what we do.

In our 40+ years of combined experience, we have handled many crime victim cases.  We know that the perpetrator is rarely the only responsible party, and we know how to find the others. We hire investigators, conduct depositions, work with security experts, and dig into property and business records to build the strongest possible case.

We are aggressive in court. Insurance companies know our firm, and when they see us coming, they offer more. But we are equally committed to being compassionate advocates for our clients throughout what is often one of the most difficult experiences of their lives.

Read 7 reasons to hire MRH

MRH Injury Law works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. This ensures our financial interests are completely aligned with yours.

The timeline depends on the complexity of the case; how many parties are involved, how much investigation is required, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Some cases resolve in months; others take a year or more.

Our approach is thorough and strategic, we build the strongest case possible before we negotiate, and we go to trial when that is what it takes to get our clients what they deserve.

If you were harmed as the result of a crime, even if you are unsure whether anyone other than the perpetrator is responsible, and even if another attorney has turned you down, you may have a significant civil claim.

To inquire use our “Do I Have a Case?” tool or contact us for a free consultation.