Georgia Legal Report
Was Apartment Security Adequate?
Local News
A 26-year-old woman was reportedly beaten in her Booker T. Washington Apartment home Friday, June 12, 2015.
The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reports, a male assailant entered into a Booker T. Washington apartment home, on Fifth Avenue, shortly after 9:30am Friday morning. The man apparently assaulted the female resident inside the unit with an iron, causing injuries to her forehead, face, stomach, and arm. She was transported to the hospital for treatment.
Columbus Police have not yet identified a motive in the assault and the assailant remains at large.
Our Legal Take
The Murray Law Firm is aware of news reports of prior criminal activity on the Booker T. Washington complex, including in June 2013, July 2013 and October 2014, and believes the community violence must stop. Another violent crime raises grave questions over apartment resident safety and a potential pattern of security negligence.
What additional security measures were taken by the owner and management company of the Booker T. Washington apartment complex, following previously reported property violence, 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 Booker T. Washington apartment complex owner and management company have failed in this legal duty, the victim may elect to pursue a legal claim for her injuries. Under such a claim, the victim 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; disfigurement; 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, but would also demand that the Booker T. Washington apartment complex re-evaluate security measures. It would also serve as a grave warning to other Columbus-area apartment owners to make resident safety their first priority.
Based upon its prior experience in handling negligent security claims, 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 before any evidence, such as surveillance footage, may be repaired, damaged or destroyed. It is imperative that all evidence be preserved to ensure that the victim’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 apartment violence and security negligence in Georgia and we offer our legal expertise in this potential claim, if desired. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us at 706.494.2800. Consultations are free and confidential.
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