Articles Posted in Health and Safety Reports

By
(Google Maps)

(Google Maps)

Security Failure? Our Legal Take: 3 Injured in Reported Home Invasion at Off-Campus Apartments

Local News

Three people were injured during what has been reported as a home invasion at the Level 51 Ten apartment complex, near UNC Chapel Hill, early Tuesday morning, April 12, 2016.

The incident “happened just after midnight at Level 51 Ten off-campus apartments at 5110 Old Chapel Hill Road” according to an ABC 11 News report.  Per the news story, “Two men, one with a pistol, entered the apartment where the three victims were inside…. [T]he victims ran into a back bedroom and closed the door. The suspects then fired through the door.”  A 21-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were reportedly struck by the gunfire, while a 20-year-old man suffered cuts after jumping through a window to flee the scene. All three victims were transported to the hospital with injuries.

Our Legal Take

Residents and guests of apartment complexes have a right to feel safe and secure within the community. The Murray Law Firm questions the level of security provided at the apartment complex and whether this horrific incident may have been prevented.

  • How did the intruders gain entry to the property? What security measures, such as gated and ID-controlled entry, bright lighting, security patrols, and surveillance cameras, were in place at the time of the shooting?
  • Have there been prior incidents of violence on or near property and, if so, were any additional security precautions implemented by the complex owner or management to deter crime and protect residents?

Generally, property owners are required to protect all residents and guests 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 to protect those on its premises, the victims may seek justice and elect to pursue a legal claim for their injuries.

Given the complexities of pursuing a negligent security case, it is imperative that the victims retain an experienced attorney who can ensure the preservation of any and all evidence that may support such a claim.  Based upon its prior successful experience in handling apartment security negligence claims, 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’ve Recovered Millions for Victims of Apartment Security Negligence…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

Headline Frame Fox News DeskThe Murray Law Firm has an extensive and successful record representing victims of violence and security negligence. We have recovered millions of dollars for our Clients, and recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property. We offer our legal assistance, if desired.

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 888.842.1616. 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.

Contingency Fees Disclaimer: “Contingent attorneys’ fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.”

By

BouncerSunglasses-300x200

Nightclub owners and managers have a duty to protect patrons from any foreseeable harm while on the premises. Unfortunately, many nightclubs restrict security efforts to the inside of the establishment and ignore the parking lot and perimeter, where many assaults take place. These crimes may be deterred through proper outdoor security, lighting, escorts, and surveillance cameras.

 

Nightclub & Bar further explores the critical need to properly secure the outdoor perimeter in December’s Dangerous Surroundings: Navigating Nightclub Security:

I have seen so many operators in the nightclub business worry about security inside the club, but assume that what happens outside is “not their problem.” It is important for us to all realize that, fair or unfair, we are responsible for not just the inside security, but the outside security for a significant radius around our establishments. In the eyes of the liquor licensing bodies, any incidents that happen anywhere close to your establishment is a reflection on you, and these incidents can be used to sanction your license. Even worse is public perception: one high-profile shooting can cripple your club and brand it to the public as “dangerous.”

How do you combat that? You must be willing to spend the money on quality professional outside security. More importantly, you must constantly remind them they cannot just sit in their car, they must make constant patrols of parking lots and the area around the club. If they see groups of people loitering in your parking lot, those people must be ordered to leave. If a patron has been involved in a fight, they must leave, and their license plate should be recorded as well. Groups of girls leaving the club? Ask if they would like an escort. Outside security should be making constant rounds, staying on top of problems before they happen.

Read full article here.

Patron Rights and Nightclub Responsibility

Nightclub patrons have a right to be safe and secure while on the premises of the establishment that they are visiting. By law, nightclub owners and managers have a duty to protect patrons from any foreseeable harm.

Bar and nightclub owners are encouraged to implement parking lot and perimeter security precautions and preventative measures, such as those outlined above, to protect patrons and reduce property violence, injuries and deaths.

We’ve Recovered Millions for Victims of  Nightclub Security Negligence…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

Headline Frame Fox News DeskThe Murray Law Firm has an extensive and successful record representing victims of violence and security negligence. We have recovered millions of dollars for our Clients, and we recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property. We offer our legal assistance, if desired.

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 888.842.1616. 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.

Contingency Fees Disclaimer: “Contingent attorneys’ fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.”

By

Screen Shot 2015-08-21 at 2.41.11 PMViolent crimes often occur in parking lots, hotels, nightclubs, and apartment complexes. While property owners have a legal duty to protect patrons legally on their premises from any foreseeable harm, many fail to provide adequate security and safety measures.

The National Crime Prevention Council offers tips to protect patrons from violent crime:

  • Don’t walk or jog early in the morning or late at night when the streets are deserted. 
  • When out at night, try to have a friend walk with you. 
  • Carry only the money you’ll need on a particular day. 
  • Don’t display your cash or any other inviting targets such as pagers, cell phones, hand-held electronic games, or expensive jewelry and clothing. 
  • If you think someone is following you, switch directions or cross the street. If the person continues to follow you, move quickly toward an open store or restaurant or a lighted house. Don’t be afraid to yell for help. 
  • Try to park in well-lighted areas with good visibility and close to walkways, stores, and people. 
  • Make sure you have your key out as you approach your door. 
  • Always lock your car, even if it’s in your own driveway; never leave your motor running. 
  • Do everything you can to keep a stranger from getting into your car or to keep a stranger from forcing you into his or her car. 
  • If a dating partner has abused you, do not meet him or her alone. Do not let him or her in your home or car when you are alone. 
  • If you are a battered spouse, call the police or sheriff immediately. Assault is a crime, whether committed by a stranger or your spouse or any other family member. If you believe that you and your children are in danger, call a crisis hotline or a health center (the police can also make a referral) and leave immediately. 
  • If someone tries to rob you, give up your property—don’t give up your life. 
  • If you are robbed or assaulted, report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. Your actions can help prevent someone else from becoming a victim.

We Fight for Victims of Property Violence and Security Negligence…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

Property owners and managers are required by law to provide a safe premises for all guests legally on their property and to prevent foreseeable third-party criminal attacks, such as rapes, shootings, assaults, or robberies. For example, should a hotel, parking lot, nightclub, or apartment complex proprietor have reason to anticipate a criminal act based on knowledge of a security lapse or a previous crime on or near property, he or she then has a duty to exercise ordinary care to deter such crime and protect those legally on their premises from harm.

The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of property violence and security negligence, and we offer our legal assistance if desired.  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 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.

728x90 Justice