At Ashby Thelen Lowry, our Georgia personal injury attorneys know property owners, operators, or management companies can potentially be held liable for shooting injuries or fatalities on their premises under certain circumstances.
In these cases, liability typically depends on factors like the foreseeability of the danger, the property owner’s duty of care, and whether reasonable security measures were in place to prevent such incidents.
Here is what shooting victims or surviving family members need to know about their legal options.
How to Assess Liability After a Shooting Injury or Fatality Occurs in Georgia
It is important to note that liability for shooting injuries or fatalities on private property can be complex and may vary depending on the specific facts and circumstances of each case.
They may include:
- Negligent Security
Property owners have a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises for visitors and tenants. This duty may include implementing appropriate security measures to protect against foreseeable criminal acts, including shootings.
If a property owner fails to provide adequate security, like proper lighting, surveillance cameras, security personnel, or access controls, and this failure contributes to a shooting incident, they may be liable for negligence under premises liability laws.
- Foreseeability
Liability for shooting injuries or fatalities may also depend on whether the property owner could reasonably foresee the risk of criminal activity on their premises. Factors like the property’s location, history of criminal incidents, known risks in the surrounding area, or prior incidents of violence on the property may be considered in determining foreseeability.
- Notice and Response
Property owners have a duty to respond appropriately to known or foreseeable risks of violence on their premises. This could include proactive measures to address security concerns, like hiring security personnel, installing security cameras, conducting regular patrols, or implementing access control measures. Failure to take reasonable steps to address known risks or respond to security threats may increase the property owner’s liability for injuries resulting from shootings.
- Exceptional Circumstances
Liability for shooting injuries or fatalities may also arise in specific circumstances, like shootings that occur at businesses serving alcohol, events or gatherings where security measures were inadequate, or incidents involving negligent entrustment of firearms by property owners or operators.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a shooting on private property in Georgia, contact our skilled personal injury lawyers and support team at Ashby Thelen Lowry today at (404) 777-7771 to schedule a free consultation to ensure your rights are protected so you can make informed decisions about the direction of your claim.
We can assess your case, determine potential liability, and pursue appropriate legal remedies for compensation and justice.