Georgia Legal Report
(WALB)
Could the tragic loss of Za’quavia Smith have been prevented and are justice and compensation available to her family and the other victims of this horrific shooting?
Gunfire erupted at an Ashburn nightclub Saturday morning, June 30, 2018, claiming the life of Za’quavia Smith and leaving six others injured.
According to WALB, the shooting occurred “at Studio 2.0, a nightclub on W. Washington Avenue, around 2:30 a.m.” Two victims were airlifted to a Macon hospital and five were transported to Tift Regional Medical Center. Tragically, Ms. Smith succumbed to fatal injuries. The identities and conditions of the other victims have not been released.
Police told FOX 5 a party promoter was arrested for “selling alcohol to those at the nightclub who were under 21.” Authorities have apparently not yet identified a gunman.
Was negligent security a factor in this Ashburn nightclub shooting and could this tragedy have been prevented? Read Our Legal Take below to find out if Ms. Smith’s family and the other victims of this tragic shooting may have legal avenues for justice and claims for substantial compensation in Georgia.
Our Legal Take
Nightclub patrons have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises. The Murray Law Firm questions the level of security provided at the subject property and whether this tragedy may have been prevented.
- What security measures, such as weapons screenings, bright parking lot lighting, surveillance cameras, and security patrols, were in place to deter crime and protect patrons at the time of the shooting?
- Media reports indicate alcohol was served to underage patrons prior to the shooting. Was alcohol a factor in the shooting?
By law, property owners in Georgia are required to protect all those legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. Should the facts of this matter reveal that the nightclub owner failed to provide adequate security, the family of Za’quavia Smith may seek justice and elect to pursue legal claims for her wrongful death. Additionally, the other victims of this tragic shooting may pursue legal claims for their injuries.
The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of unsafe properties in Georgia, and recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict in Georgia.
We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 229.385.9690. Consultations are free and confidential.
CALL NOW: 229.385.9690
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.
Contingency Fees Disclaimer: “Contingent attorneys’ fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.”
SaveSave