Crime Victims
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, over 32,000 violent crimes were reported in Georgia in 2022 alone. Many of these crimes occurred on commercial properties such as apartment complexes, gas stations, and clubs. If you are lawfully on a commercial property, the property’s owner and management have certain legal duties to protect you from foreseeable criminal acts. Sadly, many property managers and owners refuse to take basic protective steps such as hiring security, installing cameras, and adding lighting even after their customers and other invitees have been victims of violent crime. In our experience, sometimes the only way to make property managers and owners take reasonable protective measures is through legal action or the threat of legal action.
If you or a family member have been injured by crime on a commercial property, read to below to find out how Jackson Injury Law can help.
Investigation
We pride ourselves on thoroughly investigating and finding the evidence we need to put our best foot forward during negotiations. When investigating a commercial property’s history of crime, we use Georgia’s open records law to identify “substantially similar” instances of criminal activity to prove that what happened in your case was foreseeable and preventable. We also interview witnesses who may be familiar with crime on the property where you were injured. One common source of information is former employees of the commercial property’s owner or management company.
Legal Guidance
One of our most important jobs is to educate our clients. If you’ve been the victim of a crime, you’ve already been through a frightening experience, but the right information can help you feel more comfortable with the legal process for your injury case. More importantly, a thorough explanation of your rights will empower you to make the best decisions for yourself and your family. A strong understanding of the legal process will give you peace of mind and allow you to navigate what would otherwise be a scary and uncomfortable situation. Commercial liability law is complicated in injuries cases, but the attorneys at Jackson Injury Law will make it easier to understand so you know what to expect.
Negotiations
Companies who insure commercial properties are reluctant to pay you what your injury case is worth. They will minimize your injuries and your trauma, and they may even blame you for getting attacked by a criminal. A skilled attorney can build the evidentiary record you need to get what your case is worth. An experienced attorney can tell you if the insurance company’s offers are fair and negotiate for maximum compensation. At Jackson Injury Law, we do both. We understand why your case is valuable and what evidence may help or hurt your case.
Litigation
Many cases do not go to court. Even if your case can be resolved without a lawsuit, having a skilled attorney on your side will almost always get you a better result. Not all attorneys provide the same results. When choosing an attorney, you should choose one who has the experience and resolve to litigate your case all the way through trial. Insurance companies know which attorneys litigate and which ones don’t, and litigators like the attorneys at Jackson Injury Law usually get better results for their clients even in cases where they don’t file lawsuits.