By

A recent attempted abduction at a Cobb County mall has placed a spotlight on the potential dangers of mall bathrooms. Frequently isolated, the placement of mall bathrooms and department store changing rooms may leave patrons vulnerable to would-be predators.

A brave 11-year-old girl escaped an assault and attempted kidnapping in the Town Center at Cobb mall bathroom Tuesday evening, May 8, 2018. Police told The Atlanta Journal Constitution the child was “accompanied by her father to the hallway leading to the restrooms, where he remained while she went into the women’s restroom.” The young victim thought the bathroom was empty when a man hiding in another stall “grabbed the girl and put a knife to her throat” as she exited her own stall. Thankfully, she managed to break free, scream for help, and run to her father, who heroically tackled the assailant and held him for police arrival.

Despite the father’s best safety precautions and the child’s bravery and wherewithal at knifepoint, the terrifying ordeal could have easily turned tragic. Clearly, patron safety precautions are not enough. Georgia mall owners and their security teams need to proactively prevent violent crime and train employees to safely and effectively react to it.

The Beverly Police Department urges mall owners and security teams to take the following security precautions:

Mall maintenance or housekeeping personnel should be instructed to be in the restrooms every 15-30 minutes, and keep log sheets showing the frequency of these visits. In addition, mall security officers should also visit the restrooms periodically. A CCTV camera may be installed to monitor the corridors leading to the public restrooms, especially if the corridors twist and turn. Convex mirrors at corridor intersections can help mall patrons see around corners before they get there.

Victims of Georgia Mall Violence: Know Your Rights

Mall and shopping center patrons have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises of the establishment they are visiting. By Georgia law, property owners are required to protect all patrons legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. For example, should a mall owner or management company have knowledge of prior violence on or near property, they have a responsibility to implement additional security precautions to protect patrons and deter such crime. Should a mall owner fail in this critical responsibility, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths which occur as a consequence.

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.

Continue reading →

By
https://www.georgialegalreport.com/files/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-10-at-3.57.52-PM-300x211.png

(WGXA)

Could This Macon Apartment Shooting Have Been Prevented and Is Justice Available to the Victim’s Family?

Gunfire reportedly erupted at the Davis Homes apartment complex in Macon Thursday morning, May 10, 2018, claiming the life of 18-year-old Shondricka J’nay Adams and leaving a 16-year-old boy injured.

According to The Macon Telegraph, officers responded to the “Davis Homes” complex, at 286 Leaf Street, shortly after 5:00 a.m. Ms. Adams was discovered with fatal injuries at the scene. A 16-year-old victim was transported to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg. Police are still searching for a suspect and motive, per WGXA reports.

Miss Adams had celebrated her 18th birthday only the day before. “She was in there dancing last night and she’s gone today,”a family member told The Macon Telegraph. Miss Adams had left the festivities to bring her older sister, who was giving birth, to the hospital. Tragically, she never returned.

Was negligent security a factor in this senseless loss and could this incident have been prevented?  Read Our Legal Take below to find out if the victim’s family may have legal avenues for justice and claims for substantial compensation in Georgia.

Our Legal Take

Apartment residents and guests have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises. The Murray Law Firm questions the level of security provided at the apartment complex and whether this tragedy may have been prevented.

  • How did the gunman gain entry to the property?
  • Have there been prior incidents of crime on or near property? What security measures, such as bright lighting, surveillance cameras and security patrols, were in place to protect residents and deter crime at the time of 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 apartment complex owner or management failed to provide adequate security, the family of Shondricka Adams may seek justice and elect to pursue legal claims for her wrongful death. Additionally, the other young victim of this shooting may pursue legal claims for his 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 478.246.1010. Consultations are free and confidential.

CALL NOW: 478.246.1010

728x90 Justice

Continue reading →

By
https://www.georgialegalreport.com/files/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2018-05-10-at-1.04.48-AM-294x300.png

(Google Maps)

The Atlanta Municipal Court ruled last week to force the demolition of the Sierra Ridge apartment complex in southwest Atlanta, considered a “haven for excessive criminal activity” by the Atlanta Police Department.

In August 2017, the City of Atlanta filed a nuisance petition against the property, alleging it was “unfit for human habitation and heavily crime-ridden.” Owners agreed to make necessary repairs and renovations. However, in March 2018, the City filed a contempt motion against the property owners for failing to comply with the consent order.

Last week, Municipal Court Chief Judge Christopher T. Portis ordered the demolition of the property within 90 days. Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields hailed the judge’s order as a victory in the City’s fight against crime:

“We know that these properties are, indeed, a haven for crime and we applaud Judge Portis recognizing that the only real option here was to order the demolition of this property. We hope other irresponsible property owners will take notice and work to provide clean, respectable housing for its residents.”

Apartment Owner Responsibility and Resident Rights

Georgia apartment residents have a right to protect their families and feel safe and secure in their homes. By law, Georgia apartment owners have a responsibility to protect their residents from violent crime, sexual assault, and foreseeable harm.

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

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.

Continue reading →