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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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HotelOpenDoorBusiness and leisure travelers frequently check reviews, amenities, and location prior to booking a hotel. However, most hotel guests neglect to research security measures prior to their stay. These tools are not typically highlighted on a hotel website or at check-in, both to keep such information out of potential criminal hands and to avoid alarming guests. Hotel owners want to put their guests at ease and a lengthy list of safety and security features may cause concern. As such, property owners and managers undertake the enormous responsibility of overseeing the safety and security of all guests and visitors to their hotel.

Hotel guests have a right to feel safe and secure on property and it is the responsibility of the hotel owner and management to protect all those enjoying the property from any foreseeable harm. Allied Universal, a hotel security service provider, urges hoteliers to implement the following security solutions:

Maintain Security Minded Customer Service

Front desk staff and valets are trained to embody a customer first, customer service model. While maintaining friendly, responsive interactions with customers is crucial, it is also important to vigilantly follow all security protocols.

Key Card Access Review

With a few pieces of hardware and minor programming, it is possible for a criminal to gain undetectable entree to millions of key card protected hotel rooms….Hoteliers should remind all guests of the security safeguards they offer and remind guests to use their lock bars and chains and dead bolts when retiring for the evening. Room safes or securing valuables at the front desk should also be recommended if available. 

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