The Legal Herald
Negligent Security? Our Legal Take: Second Reported Assault at The Woodlands Apartment Complex
Did negligent security contribute to these unconscionable assaults? Read Our Legal Take to find out if the victims may have a legal avenue for justice and claims for compensation.
Local News
Police are reportedly investigating the second sexual assault in one month at the Trailpoint at The Woodlands apartment complex.
According to KPRC News 2, a woman awoke to find a male assailant inside her Trailpoint at The Woodlands apartment bedroom early Thursday morning, October 13, 2016. According to the report, the intruder gained entry through a patio door and “used bedsheets to restrain [the victim] during the…assault.”
The complex was apparently the subject of a prior sexual assault investigation on September 16, 2016. The assailant in that attack also gained entry through a patio door. The KPRC News story indicates that the victim “said she was asleep in her bed when she woke up to a man standing close to the foot of her bed. She described the man as white or Hispanic with a slight accent and between 18 and 24 years old.”
Our Legal Take
Apartment residents and guests 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 these tragic assaults may have been prevented.
- How did the assailant gain entry to the property? What security measures, such as gated-entry, fencing, security patrols, and surveillance cameras, were in place to deter crime at the time of the shooting?
- KPRC News 2 reports a prior sexual assault occurred on September 16. Was the apartment complex aware of any prior criminal activity on or near the property? If so, were additional security precautions implemented by the property owner or management to 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 legal claims for their injuries and mental anguish.
Based upon its prior successful experience in handling security negligence claims on behalf of victims and their families, 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. 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.
We’ve Recovered Millions for Victims of Apartment Security Negligence…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.
The 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.
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:
A 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.”