If you or a loved one has been raped, sexually assaulted, shot or attacked at a business or apartment complex in Atlanta, GA, you have already been through a horrific experience.
You probably need medical care and even ongoing treatment. What you may not realize is that you may be eligible for legal compensation for your injuries. You have the right to pursue an Unsafe Premises or Property Negligence lawsuit for claims against your physical and financial damages.
Let John Foy & Associates help you decide if you have a personal injury claim as well. Our experienced attorneys have handled many claims like yours.
You’ll be part of a criminal investigation and may have to testify in a criminal court. It doesn’t matter if the criminal is apprehended or found guilty. The responsible party for your injury may be the property management company or the security firm that was hired to protect the complex.
Because attacks don’t usually happen during business hours, our phone line is staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call us at 404-400-4000 for a free and confidential consultation.
What Should I Do If I Or a Loved One Was Attacked at an Apartment Complex or Commercial Property in Atlanta, Ga?
If you or a loved one was attacked in an apartment complex or commercial property in Atlanta, GA., please call 911 and get the police and medical help you need.
“Go to the hospital and get whatever help you need,’’ says our firm founder John Foy. He adds, “Number one, get whatever medical care you need. Number two, call the police who can try to stop the assailant. No. Three, call a law firm like ours that hears about these cases frequently.”
These cases are very complicated and you need an experienced attorney by your side. Our investigators know how to dig deep into public and private files and see if there have been a lot of police calls to that business.
Normally we tell people who have been injured in a car or other accident to gather as much information as possible about the event. But in your case that might not be possible or even safe.
Let the police gather information about your assailant. Your assault will go through the court system and may end up in a criminal trial for your assailant. But you may also have a chance to recover personally for your injuries. In a personal injury claim you are eligible to file for any medical costs, time lost from work and general pain and suffering.
Call our Unsafe Premises & Property Negligence Attorneys at John Foy & Associates at 404-400-4000 for a free and confidential consultation about a personal injury claim.
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The Assailant Was Not Caught. Do I Still Have a Legal Claim?
Your assailant does not have to be caught for you to file a legal claim. In fact, we rarely file legal claims against the criminal. Instead the responsible party may well be a business owner who provided negligent security.
Whether an assailant is in custody is irrelevant to your case. What is important is if your attack could have been reasonably avoided.
What Are My Rights If I Have Been Raped, Sexually Abused or Shot at While at an Apartment Complex or Commercial Property in Atlanta?
Nothing can take away this terrible violation that has just happened to you. But you do have the right to pursue a civil case to help pay for medical bills, time lost from work or school, and general pain and suffering.
You have the right to expect justice from the Georgia criminal system. But you also have the right to seek restitution for this terrible event. The criminal case may feel out of control to you because the state is in charge, not you. In a civil case, you’ll be able to pursue a financial sort of justice.
A personal injury law firm, like John Foy & Associates, can help you with your civil case even before your criminal case is fully processed.
Are Property Owners and Managers Responsible for Criminal Attacks and Sexual Assaults?
The property owner or manager is not necessarily always responsible for a criminal attack or sexual assault. Georgia Premises Liability law states the property owner had to be aware of some sort of threat and did not do anything about it. At the same time, the victim did not have opportunity to know about a possible hazard. That is the general rule in civil liability. Don’t worry about these details. Let John Foy & Associates sift through the information and fine print.
“There may not be a quick, easy answer, but this is what we do,” says John Foy. And remember that there is no cost to you for us to delve into your case. Any legal fees will be paid for after a settlement. If there is no settlement, you don’t owe us a penny.
If we investigate and decide together that there were no negligent parties our state has the Georgia Crime Victim Compensation Program that, as a last resort, offers some compensation.
Why Are There So Many Violent Attacks at Apartment Complexes in Atlanta, GA?
There are many reasons for violent attacks at apartment complexes. Was there proper security on your door? Was the lock in good working order? Was the property adequately lit? What part of town did this take place? Should the complex owner have hired an off-duty police officer or security firm?
Businesses have a duty to have well-lit stairwells and hallways. If you live in an unsafe area, your apartment complex should have a secure gate. If you are staying at a hotel that is in an unsafe neighborhood, that hotel has a responsibility to keep you safe.
And sometimes crimes can happen in the seemingly safest of places. “You may not realize that two of the most dangerous places that you could go to are your neighborhood grocery store and shopping mall. That’s where professional thieves go,’’ says John Foy.
“Unfortunately, there are not just people looking to steal from people. There are sexual predators out there. That’s just the reality of the world we live in today,’’ he says. We urge all people, especially women and children to always be aware of their environment and take safety precautions even in the safest of places.
Is There a Time Limit to File a Legal Claim in a Rape, Sexual Abuse or Shooting in Atlanta?
Typically, there is a two-year limit after an injury to file a lawsuit and pursue a personal injury claim. For children, however, the statute of limitations (or time limit) is two years after they turn 18. However, there are shorter statutes of limitations in some instances.
There is much urgency to filing a claim as quickly after the assault as possible. “These are very fact-driven and witness-driven cases,’’ says firmer founder John Foy. “If something bad happens, call the police and then call a lawyer.’’
You do not have to wait until after a criminal trial to file a claim. “These are two totally separate cases,’’ Foy says. One is the State of Georgia versus the attacker. The other is a civil claim in which the victim has a right to file claims against, at times multiple parties.
My Child Was Sexually Abused and Molested at Our Apartment Complex in Atlanta, What Should I Do?
Just as if an adult were attacked, our advice is the same: Call the police. Get proper medical attention. Contact an experienced law firm like ours.
Children have the right to be protected from sexual abuse and molestation. Once their trust in the world is broken, they often suffer long-term and devastating effects such as anxiety-related and self-destructive behavior. We urge you to make sure they get the proper long-term treatment. Our offices can help you find that help whether you decide to hire us as your attorney or not.
Call John Foy & Associates at 404-400-4000.
How Can John Foy & Associates Help?
These types of cases are quite complicated—there can be multiple parties, including the property owner, management company and security company. You or your loved one, as a crime victim, may need lots of medical care or time off of work or school. The repercussions can be long lasting. You need a steady and compassionate law firm by your side.
We can help because we’re experienced. With almost 30 attorneys and 100 paralegals, investigators, researchers and other staff we are larger than most personal injury firms in Atlanta. When John Foy started this firm more than 20 years ago it was to help people like you.
Remember that there’s no risk in your calling 404-400-4000. We’ve handled many cases like yours.
As John Foy says, “We’ve got the experience and the manpower, the knowledge, and the desire to help people in these unfortunate situations.”
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
