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Screen Shot 2015-06-09 at 3.15.44 PMLocal News

A man was reportedly shot and killed outside the Kingstown Apartments in Decatur Monday morning, June 8, 2015.

According to 11 Alive News, investigators believe the shooting occurred near the 1625 apartment building on Line Street, shortly after midnight. The victim apparently attempted to escape in his SUV, but crashed into another vehicle.  Tragically, he succumbed to injuries at the scene.

Police are still searching for suspects and a motive.

Our Legal Take

As police continue to search for suspects, The Murray Law Firm is questioning whether a fatal apartment security lapse may also hold responsibility in this tragedy.

How did the gunman gain entry to the property? What access controls and security measures, such as gated entry, fencing, security patrols, bright lighting, and surveillance cameras, were in place 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 Kingstown Apartments owner and management company have failed in this legal duty, the victim’s family may elect to pursue a legal claim for his wrongful death.  Under such a claim, the family may be entitled to an award of damages that could include, among other items, substantial monetary compensation for: pain and suffering; loss of wages and future earning capacity; loss of consortium; 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’s family, but would also demand that the Kingstown complex re-evaluate security measures.  It would also serve as a grave warning to other Atlanta-area apartment owners to make resident safety their first priority.

Based upon its prior experience in handling negligent security claims in Georgia, 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’s family before any evidence, such as surveillance footage or broken lighting, may be repaired, damaged or destroyed. It is imperative that all evidence be preserved to ensure that the family’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 gun violence and security negligence in Georgia, and we offer our legal assistance to the victim in this potential claim, if desired.  Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us at 404.842.1600. Consultations are free and confidential.

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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:

ABA Center for Professional ResponsibilityA 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.

SAC EM Update

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Texaco Station on Flat Shoals Road, Decatur

Texaco Station on Flat Shoals Road, Decatur

Local News

A double shooting outside a Decatur Texaco station reportedly claimed the life of an 18-year-old man and left another critically injured Saturday morning, May 29, 2015.

According to Decatur Patch, the two victims were pumping gas outside of the Texaco on Flat Shoals Road when a car pulled into the station. Multiple gunmen reportedly got out of the vehicle and opened fire outside the station, striking both victims. An 18-year-old male reportedly suffered fatal injuries during the assault. The second victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition, per media reports.

Police have not yet identified the suspects or a motive in the shooting.

Our Legal Take

News reports suggest that there has been prior criminal activity at the Decatur Texaco station, in particular a shooting in September 2014. Another shooting at this complex, less than a year later, raises grave questions over patron safety and a potential pattern of security negligence.

What security measures, such as bright lighting, surveillance cameras and a police patrol, were implemented by the gas station owner, following the previous shooting, to protect patrons and deter crime?  Did any such security precautions fail?

By law, property owners are required to protect patrons from any foreseeable harm.  Should the Texaco owner and management company have failed in this legal duty, the deceased victim’s family may elect to pursue a legal claim for his wrongful death. The injured victim may also elect to pursue a legal claim for any injuries suffered during the assault.  Under such claims, the victims 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; loss of consortium; 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 victims and their families, but would also demand that the gas station re-evaluate security measures.  It would also serve as a grave warning to other Decatur property owners to make patron safety their first priority.

Based upon its prior experience in handling gun violence and negligent security claims in the Atlanta area, The Murray Law Firm suggests that photographs and a thorough inspection of the scene will need to be performed immediately on behalf of the victims 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 victims’ best 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 security negligence in Georgia, and we offer our legal assistance to the victim in this potential claim, if desired.  Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us at 404.842.1600. Consultations are free and confidential.

728x90 Justice

______________________________________________________________________________

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:

ABA Center for Professional ResponsibilityA 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.

SAC EM Update

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CarseatGeorgia and Tennessee state law enforcement officials confirm a spike in unrestrained motorist and passenger accidents. Sadly, these statistics extend to teens and young children who were injured or killed in accidents without being properly restrained.

The Murray Law Firm hopes this new data will serve as a grave reminder to all parents, drivers and passengers to buckle up.

News 12 reports:

Vehicle crashes involving unrestrained motorist and passengers are increasing in both Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia.

Georgia and Tennessee state law enforcement officials confirmed the statistics during a major press conference at Erlanger Medical Center.

“We’ve seen a spike in crashes. Interstates have seen a 22-percent increase in crashes this year,” said one Georgia State Trooper.

Within the 12-county Chattanooga district for the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the numbers are considered disturbing. 

Since 2012, more than 1,100 unrestrained people have been injured in crashes. 142 of those cases resulted in death. Hamilton County had the highest unrestrained fatalities with 33. 

Since January of this year, 86-unrestrained motorists and passengers were injured in crashes. 28-of those injures happened in Hamilton County. But those numbers mainly account for adults.

“We still see kids in our trauma unit that weren’t restrained properly or weren’t restrained at all,” Erlanger Trauma Surgeon Dr. Lisa Smith.

Georgia had nine straight years of reduced road fatalities. But this year, numbers have spiked.

“This year, we’re up almost 20-percent in the first quarter and it’s troubling,” said Georgia Governor Highway Safety Representative Harris Blackwood.

A great majority of those fatalities involve teenage drivers.

“We’ve buried too many of most valuable resources; our children. And many times they’ve done that because they were not wearing their seat belt,” Blackwood said.

Read the full story here.