Articles Posted in Negligent Security

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

(News 10)

(News 10)

Security Failure? Our Legal Take: Assaul in Elderly Apartment Home

Local News

A burglar reportedly forced his way into an elderly and disabled apartment building in Schenectady and sexually assaulted a resident Saturday night, February 13, 2016.

According to News 10, the intruder forced his way into an elderly resident’s apartment, shortly after 9:00pm, and assaulted and burglarized the victim. The victim’s current condition has not been released.

The building, municipal housing for elderly and disabled residents, apparently requires a key. However, one resident reportedly told News 10 that she “reported the door broken two weeks ago.” News 10 demonstrated the exterior door was still broken days after the assault, leaving many residents terrified for their safety.

Police have allegedly since charged a suspect with first degree burglary and one count of criminal sexual act in the first degree.

Our Legal Take

Apartment complex residents have a right to feel safe and secure within the community. Given the reported history of resident complaints, The Murray Law Firm questions the level of security provided at the apartment complex, and whether this unconscionable assault may have been prevented.

  • How did the assailant gain entry to the property? What access controls and security measures, such as ID-controlled entry, bright lighting, surveillance cameras, and security patrols, were in place at the time of the assault?
  • Did the intruder gain entry through a broken building door and, if so, were any attempts made to secure this entry point in the two weeks following alleged resident reports?

Generally, property owners are required to protect all residents 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 victim and her family may seek justice and elect to pursue a legal claim for her injuries and suffering.

Given the complexities of pursuing a negligent security case, it is imperative that the victim retain an experienced attorney who can ensure the preservation of any and all evidence that may support such a claim.  Based upon its prior 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.

(News 7)

(News 7)

Security Lapse? Our Legal Take: 2 Shot at Western Hills Mall, Fairfield

Local News

Five people were reportedly injured during a shooting at the Western Hills Mall in Fairfield Friday night, February 19, 2016.

According to News 7, two people were shot “in the Western Hills Mall” while three others were injured during the chaos. Police apparently believe one of the two shooting victims was “directly targeted, while the other was an innocent bystander.”

Police are still searching for a gunman and motive, presumably leaving patrons concerned for their safety. Media reports indicate another shooting apparently occurred at the mall in April 2014.

Our Legal Take

Shopping mall patrons have a right to be safe and secure while on the premises of the establishment that they are visiting. Given the reported history of gun violence on property, The Murray Law Firm questions the level of security provided to mall patrons and whether this unconscionable attack may have been prevented.

  • What mall security measures, such as weapons screenings, surveillance cameras and security patrols, were in place to protect patrons and deter crime? How did any such precautions fail?
  • What is the extent of similar activity on or near property, and have any additional security precautions implemented by the mall owner or management company?

Generally, shopping mall owners and managers are required to protect all patrons legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. Should the facts of this matter reveal that the owner or management failed to provide adequate security to protect those on its premises, the injured bystanders may elect to seek justice and pursue legal claims 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 experience in handling property 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 Property 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.