Georgia Legal Report
Local News
A man was reportedly shot and killed outside the Kingstown Apartments in Decatur Monday morning, June 8, 2015.
According to 11 Alive News, investigators believe the shooting occurred near the 1625 apartment building on Line Street, shortly after midnight. The victim apparently attempted to escape in his SUV, but crashed into another vehicle. Tragically, he succumbed to injuries at the scene.
Police are still searching for suspects and a motive.
Our Legal Take
As police continue to search for suspects, The Murray Law Firm is questioning whether a fatal apartment security lapse may also hold responsibility in this tragedy.
How did the gunman gain entry to the property? What access controls and security measures, such as gated entry, fencing, security patrols, bright lighting, and surveillance cameras, were in place to protect residents and deter crime? Did any such precautions fail?
By law, apartment owners are required to protect all residents legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. Should the Kingstown Apartments owner and management company have failed in this legal duty, the victim’s family may elect to pursue a legal claim for his wrongful death. Under such a claim, the family may be entitled to an award of damages that could include, among other items, substantial monetary compensation for: pain and suffering; loss of wages and future earning capacity; loss of consortium; and, mental anguish. If the facts of this matter warrant such a negligent security claim, it would not only be an avenue of justice for the victim’s family, but would also demand that the Kingstown complex re-evaluate security measures. It would also serve as a grave warning to other Atlanta-area apartment owners to make resident safety their first priority.
Based upon its prior experience in handling negligent security claims in Georgia, The Murray Law Firm suggests that photographs and a thorough inspection of the scene will need to be performed immediately on behalf of the victim’s family before any evidence, such as surveillance footage or broken lighting, may be repaired, damaged or destroyed. It is imperative that all evidence be preserved to ensure that the family’s interests are protected.
We are here to Help. Contact us for a Free Consultation.
The Murray Law Firm has extensive and successful experience in representing victims of gun violence and security negligence in Georgia, and we offer our legal assistance to the victim in this potential claim, if desired. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us at 404.842.1600. Consultations are free and confidential.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Choosing the Right Attorney
Selecting the right attorney for you or your family is highly important. You must feel confident that the attorney you hire has a complete understanding of the law applicable to your particular case, and has successful experience in handling such cases.
Important: Do not hire a lawyer who has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct!!!
You should not hire an attorney who calls you or visits you unsolicited, or anyone that contacts you directly to offer legal services. This activity is strictly prohibited by Rule 7.3 of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which states as follows:
A LAWYER “SHALL NOT” CONTACT A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT THROUGH A “LIVE TELEPHONE” OR AN “IN-PERSON” VISIT.
– RULE 7.3, ABA MODEL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
If an attorney, or someone acting on behalf of an attorney, contacts you in this manner, that attorney is in violation of this Rule. This unethical and unprofessional activity on the part of the lawyer is good sign that you should stay away. It is imperative that you are represented by an attorney who is capable of advocating for you within the confines of the law, and an attorney who fails to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct is probably not the best fit. In fact, any such attorney should be immediately reported to the local State Bar Association. If you have been contacted in such an unsolicited manner, contact us and we’ll assist you in filing a report.
