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ECA_006As the holiday season ushers in cooler temperatures, it is important for nursing home staff and family of nursing home residents to review fire safety plans. Reduced staff during holidays and winter fire hazards, such as space heaters, can be a deadly combination. Family members should check with nursing home administration to be sure they have an emergency preparedness and evacuation plan, particularly for residents with limited mobility.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers a safety checklist for both family and administrators:

Families: Are Your Loved Ones Safe?

Having a loved one in a nursing home can be stressful and can often make people feel somewhat helpless….You can play a role to increase the safety of your loved one. Here are a few things to consider when either choosing or checking on someone already in a nursing home.

  1. Is the building well maintained? Make sure that paper and other storage items do not block doors or hallways needed for escape.
  2. Check to make sure there is an evacuation plan in place that involves all staff and is practiced regularly.
  3. Are there safety systems in place such as alternative exits, smoke detectors, and sprinklers?
  4. Check on the staff-to-patient ratio. How many staff per resident during the day and especially at night or on weekends and holidays? Is supervisory staff available to carryout an escape plan if there is a fire?
  5. Are there guidelines for people who smoke such as a separate room or staff supervision?
  6. Does nursing home management take your questions regarding safety seriously and are they forthcoming with information?

You have a right to get answers regarding the safety conditions that effect your loved one.

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(WSBTV 2 News)

(WSBTV 2 News)

Fatal Security Lapse? Our Legal Take: UWG Student Killed in Carrollton Apartment Shooting

Did negligent security contribute to the death of this young man? Read Our Legal Take to find out if the victim’s family may have a legal avenue for justice and a claim for compensation.

Local News

A shooting at the River Pointe apartment complex reportedly claimed the life of a young 23-year-old University of West Georgia student Wednesday afternoon, October 26, 2016.

According to WSBTV 2 News, the young man “was killed in his own apartment at the River Pointe Apartments…around 4:30 p.m.” His roommates apparently told investigators they heard a knock at the door followed by gunfire. The roommates rushed out of their rooms and discovered the young man in the front doorway suffering from a gunshot wound.  Per a subsequent WSB report, “Carrollton police think [the] shooting was part of a robbery.”

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 to those at the apartment complex and whether this tragic loss of life may have been prevented.

  • How did the gunman gain entry to the property? What security measures, such as gated-entry, fencing, surveillance cameras, and security patrols, were in place and working at the time of the shooting?
  • Was the apartment complex aware of any prior criminal activity on or near the property?  If so, were additional security precautions implemented by the property owner or management to deter crime?

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 company failed to provide adequate security, the family of the young victim may elect to seek justice and pursue a legal claim for his wrongful death.

Based upon its long, extensive, and successful experience in handling negligent security cases against property owners in the State of Georgia, The Murray Law Firm suggests that photographs and a thorough, unbiased inspection of the property will need to be performed immediately, before any evidence may be repaired, damaged or destroyed.

We Fight for Victims of Apartment Security Negligence in Georgia…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

Headline Frame Fox News DeskThe Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of unsafe properties in Georgia, and recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for one of our Georgia Clients in Fulton County State Court.

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 404.842.1600. Consultations are free and confidential.

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Workers have a right to a safe and secure workplace. According to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) report, “late-night retail establishments, such as convenience stores, liquor stores, and gasoline stations, experience relatively high homicide and assault rates.” Employers must protect late-night retail workers and patrons exposed to this potential for violence by taking a proactive approach to security and violence prevention.

Read highlights of OSHA’s “Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments” below:

 Risk Factors
A number of factors put late-night retail workers at risk. These include:
  • The exchange of money (making them targets for robbery);
  • Solo work and isolated work sites;
  • The sale of alcohol;
  • Poorly lit stores and parking areas; and
  • Lack of staff training in recognizing and managing escalating hostile and aggressive behavior.

Violence Prevention Programs

At a minimum, workplace violence prevention programs should:

  • Establish a clear policy for workplace violence, verbal and nonverbal threats and related actions. All personnel employed in the retail establishment should know the policy.
  • Ensure that no worker who reports or experiences workplace violence faces reprisals.
  • Encourage workers to promptly report incidents and suggest ways to reduce or eliminate risks. Require records of incidents to assess risk and measure progress.
  • Outline a comprehensive plan for maintaining security in the workplace. The plan should include establishing a liaison with law enforcement representatives and others who can help identify ways to prevent and mitigate workplace violence.
  • Assign responsibility and authority for the program to individuals or teams with appropriate training and skills. Ensure that adequate resources are available and that those responsible for the program develop expertise on workplace violence prevention in late-night retail settings.
  • Affirm management commitment to an environment that places as much importance on worker safety and health as on serving store patrons.

Know Your Rights

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