Articles Posted in Public Service Announcement

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(AJC)

Georgia apartment residents have a right to feel safe and secure in their own homes. Yet, while home owners can implement any security precaution they deem necessary to protect themselves and their families, apartment tenants are largely at the mercy of their property owner and management company to deter crime. Security measures may include gated-entry, fencing, monitored surveillance cameras, off-duty police patrols, private security personnel, bright lighting, and background checks for both tenants and employees. Sadly, such precautions are all too often neglected to limit financial exposure. This inaction and greed can have devastating consequences.

According to The AJC, the “Brookfield Apartments on Washington Road may be one of the smaller complexes in East Point, but for three years, it had the most 9-1-1 calls….Criminal trespasses, burglary, stolen cars, shots fried, robbery. It ran the gamut,” East Point City Solicitor Antavius Weems told media. “Managers rented out rooms under the table and may have participated in some of the crime, [Weems] said. Police found violent gang members and other wanted criminals living at or frequenting the apartments.”  In November 2018, following “days of court testimony, three court orders, and at least tens of thousands of dollars in attorneys expenses” a judge finally ordered “the owners of East Point’s Brookfield Apartments to make it a safer place to live.”

Victims of East Point Apartment Assault or Injury: What Are My Legal Options for Justice and Compensation?

By law, Georgia apartment complex owners have a duty to protect tenants and guests from any foreseeable harm. Should a property owner fail in this critical responsibility, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries, sexual assaults, or wrongful deaths suffered as a consequence. Compensation may be in the tens of millions of dollars. As each case and property is unique, victims of apartment crime should speak with an experienced security negligence firm as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as surveillance footage or broken lighting, is preserved and their best interests are protected.

Can I Afford an Attorney?

Our Clients frequently come in concerned that they won’t be able to afford legal help. We believe everyone has a right to exceptional legal service. We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. This means our interests are always tied to that of our Clients. Be sure to ask any potential personal injury attorney about their fee schedule and whether they represent Clientele on a contingency basis before signing a contract.

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ApartmentCrime-300x200

Apartment residents have a right to feel safe and secure in their own homes. Yet, while home owners can implement any security precaution they deem necessary to protect themselves and their families, apartment tenants are largely at the mercy of their property owner and management company to deter crime. Apartment complex security measures may include gated-entry, fencing, monitored surveillance cameras, visible security patrols, bright lighting, and background checks for tenants and employees. Sadly, such precautions are all too often neglected to limit financial exposure. This inaction and greed can have devastating consequences.

Survivors Fight Back

Apartment complex owners and management companies are required by law to provide a safe premises for all residents and guests legally on their property. They must prevent any foreseeable harm, such as rapes, sexual assaults, and shootings. For example, should an apartment complex owner have reason to anticipate a criminal act based on knowledge of a security lapse (such as broken fencing or lighting) or of previous crime on or near property (such as a prior sexual assault or break-in), he or she then has a duty to deter such crime and protect those legally on their premises from harm.

Should a property owner or management company fail in this legal responsibility, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries, sexual assaults or wrongful deaths, which occur as a consequence. Under such a claim, victims may be entitled to an award of damages that could include, among other items, substantial monetary compensation for: pain and suffering; past and future medical expenses; loss of wages and future earning capacity; and, emotional distress.

In May 2018, The AJC reports, a Clayton County jury awarded an apartment rape survivor $1 billion dollars in a civil suit. The survivor, who was only 14-years-old at the time of the unconscionable assault, told media the verdict “validates her struggles and emotional pain.” The case also serves as a grave warning to other Clayton County apartment complex owners, property managers and security companies to make resident safety their top priority.

Victims of Georgia Apartment Sexual Assault: What Are My Legal Options for Justice and Compensation?

As each case and property is unique, victims of apartment sexual assault should speak with an experienced security negligence firm as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as surveillance footage or broken lighting, is preserved and their best interests are protected.

Can I Afford an Attorney?

Our Clients frequently come in concerned that they won’t be able to afford legal help. We believe everyone has a right to exceptional legal service. We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. This means our interests are always tied to that of our Clients. Be sure to ask any potential personal injury attorney about their fee schedule and whether they represent Clientele on a contingency basis before signing a contract.

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(SafeKids Georgia)

Thousands of children will soon take to the streets for a night of trick-or-treating and fun. However, Halloween is also one of the most dangerous nights of the year for these young pedestrians, given an increase in drunk drivers on the roads, frequently poor street lighting, and costumes which may restrict visibility or maneuverability.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution urges families to plan ahead and practice the following safety tips from Safe Kids Georgia to enjoy a safe and healthy Halloween:

  1. Avoid costumes with excessive flowing fabric, such as capes or sleeves. Loose clothing can brush up against a jack-o’-lantern or open flame. Oversized costumes can cause trips and falls.
  2. If possible, choose a brightly colored costume that drivers can spot easily. If not, decorate the costume with reflective tape and stickers. Glow sticks and flashlights are also good accessories.
  3. Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct vision. If a mask is worn, be certain it fits securely and cut the eye holes large.
  4. Inspect the treats. Toss anything tampered with or that has loose wrappers or doesn’t seem right. Also toss anything homemade — unless you know the person who gave it to your child and can be sure it’s safe.
  5. Always supervise children under the age of 13. Older children should trick-or-treat in a group, and a curfew should be established. Older kids should go in a group — never alone. Create a route ahead of time.
  6. Walk slowly. Be mindful about cars, making eye contact with drivers. Always walk on sidewalks and cross at crosswalks or traffic signals. If there are no sidewalks, then walk facing traffic and way to the left.
  7. Tell your child to go only to well-lit houses and remain on the porch within street view. Make sure your child understands never to cross between parked cars and to look both ways before crossing.
  8. Drivers should back out slowly, keeping a watchful eye on children and knowing that high times for trick-or-treating are from 5:30-9:30 p.m. No distracted driving.

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