Articles Posted in Negligent Security

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Richland Terrace Apartments (Google)

Adequate Security? Our Legal Take: Man Shot in Richland Terrace Apartment Mugging

Local News

A man was reportedly shot and injured outside the Richland Terrace Apartments in Columbia Saturday night, August 1, 2015.

According to News 10, the victim was standing outside the Richland Terrace Apartments off Metze Road, around 8:30pm, when an armed assailant approached him and demanded money. The suspect apparently opened fire when the victim said he didn’t have any money. The victim was transported to the hospital with injuries. His current condition has not been released, and police have not yet identified a suspect.

Our Legal Take

According to WISTV.com, another shooting occurred at the apartment complex in late May of this year.  As police continue to search for suspects, The Murray Law Firm is questioning whether a pattern of violent crime suggests that a potential apartment security lapse may also hold responsibility in this shooting.

  • How did the gunman gain entry to the apartment complex? What access-controls and parking lot security measures, such as gated-entry, security patrols, surveillance cameras, and bright lighting, were in place and working at the time of the shooting
  • What is the extent of previous incidents of violence on or near the property and what security precautions were implemented by the Richland Terrace owner and management to protect residents and deter future crime?

By law, apartment owners are required to protect all residents and guests legally on premises from any foreseeable harm. Should the facts of this matter reveal that the apartment owner or management company failed to provide adequate security to protect those on its premises, the victim may elect to pursue a legal claim for his injuries. Under such a claim, the injured victim may be entitled to substantial compensation.

Given the complexities of pursuing such a potential 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 through, 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 Gun Violence…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

The Murray Law Firm has extensive and successful experience in representing victims of violence and apartment security negligence.  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.

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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.

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Swimming-Pool-200x300Apartment and Hotel Pool Owner Responsibility

A recent rise in hotel and apartment complex swimming pool drownings has illuminated the critical need for property owners to follow state and federal pool safety regulations.

The CDC warns, “Aquatics professionals have a responsibility to provide a safe and healthy swimming environment for their patrons. Maintaining good water quality requires pool operators and staff to have specific skills.”

Water Quality

This critical responsibility of monitoring water quality is carried over to apartment and hotel owners who provide swimming opportunities to their residents and guests. Cloudy water can prohibit the safe monitoring of swimmers in the pool and the fast rescue of swimmers in distress. Dangerous chemical levels can cause serious injury to lungs, eyes and skin. High bacterial levels can spread rash and illness. As such, it is imperative that apartment and hotel owners employ aquatics professionals to monitor water quality and ensure water visibility is clear and chemical and bacterial levels are safe.

Safe Pool Area Design

The CDC also provides guidelines for safe swimming pool design, including proper fencing, non-skid pool area surfaces, visible cautionary signage, safe structural elements (such as fountains and ladders), and safe drainage.

Enforcing Rules

Pool safety rules, including maximum occupancy, hours of operation, life guard availability, and prohibited items or behavior, should be visibly posted and enforced. Overcrowding can lead to drownings and poor swimmer visibility. As such, pool area occupancy rates must meet fire codes and be enforced by staff. Pool access should be properly secured after hours. Hazardous items and behavior, such as glass or diving in shallow waters, should be prohibited and offenders should be removed.

Victims of Swimming Pool Negligence

Unfortunately, a CDC report reveals, “Almost 1 in 8 (12.1% or 13,532 of 111,487) routine pool inspections conducted during 2008 identified serious violations that threatened public health and safety and resulted in an immediate closure.”

Apartment and hotel owners have a duty to protect residents and guests legally on property from any foreseeable harm. Should these property owners fail to provide adequate swimming pool safety measures, victims may elect to pursue a legal claim for any injuries or wrongful deaths, which occur as a consequence. Under such a claim, victims and their families may be entitled to substantial compensation. Given the complexities of pursuing such a potential 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 apartment and hotel negligence claims, The Murray Law Firm suggests that photographs and a through, 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 and Hotel Negligence…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of apartment and hotel negligence.  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.

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(The Florida Times-Union)

(The Florida Times-Union)

Our Legal Take: Another Roosevelt Gardens Shooting Raises Security Negligence Questions

Local News

A man was shot and injured outside the Roosevelt Gardens Apartments in Jacksonville Thursday, July 16, 2015.

According to The Florida Times-Union, the victim was shot in the back while walking along the sidewalk in the Roosevelt Gardens apartment complex, shortly before 4:00pm. The victim was transported to the hospital by a neighbor.

Police are still searching for two suspects in connection with the shooting, once again leaving residents concerned for the safety of their families. The shooting is apparently the fourth to occur on property in the last four months and the fifth since May 2014, per media reports.

Our Legal Take

The Murray Law Firm is questioning whether the alleged history of criminal activity on property is indicative of a potential pattern of security negligence and whether security measures were undertaken following the previous shootings to protect residents and deter such violence.

How did the two suspects gain entry to the property? What access-controls, such as gated entry, fencing, security patrols, and surveillance cameras, were in place and working at the time of the shooting?

What additional security precautions, if any, were implemented by the Roosevelt Gardens owner and management company following the reported prior criminal activity on property?

Generally, apartment owners are required to protect all residents and guests legally on premises from any foreseeable harm. Should the facts of this matter reveal that the Roosevelt Gardens owner or management company failed to provide adequate security to protect residents, the victim may elect to pursue a legal claim for his injuries. Under such a claim, the victim may be entitled to substantial monetary compensation for: pain and suffering; past and future medical expenses; disfigurement; and emotional distress.

Given the complexities of pursuing such a potential case, it is imperative that the victim immediately 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 through, 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 our Clients…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

The Murray Law Firm has extensive and successful experience in representing victims of violence and apartment security negligence.  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.