Safety should always be a priority, especially in parking lots.
Shopping centers offer a wide range of goods and services in one convenient location. Customers come to these centers expecting safety and security in the stores and surrounding areas. However, shopping center owners don't always meet these expectations. Assault and battery in shopping center parking lots happens far too often. In fact, over 7% of all violent crimes happen in parking lots, often due to negligent security.
Some common types of assaults that can occur in shopping center parking lots include:
- Robbery and armed robbery.
- Violence against a person without involving theft.
- Carjacking.
- Sexual assault.
- Road rage incidents.
A parking lot attack can have severe consequences
The type and extent of injuries in a parking lot assault can depend on the nature of the attack, the weapons or objects involved, and the physical condition of the victim. Common injuries caused by assault and battery in parking lots include:
- Bruises and contusions.
- Cuts and abrasions.
- Fractures and broken bones.
- Head injuries.
- Stab wounds.
- Gunshot wounds.
- Strangulation injuries.
- Internal injuries.
- Emotional and psychological trauma.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Long-term disabilities.
Can I sue the property owner if I was attacked in a parking lot?
If you were harmed in a parking lot attack, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your losses by filing a negligent security claim or lawsuit. Only an experienced attorney can accurately assess your claim and explain your potential legal options.
Property owners, including shopping center owners, have a legal obligation to prioritize security and safety on their premises. When they fail to meet these obligations, they may be liable in a civil lawsuit.
To build a strong claim, gathering evidence that demonstrates the property owner's failure to meet safety standards is essential. For instance, if the shopping center is located in a high-crime area and lacks appropriate security measures, or if there is a history of assaults in the parking lot with no action taken to improve safety, these factors can support a negligence case.
Again, it's best to talk to an experienced negligent security lawyer who can thoroughly investigate the incident. An attorney can work to gather the evidence you need to prove that the shopping center owner failed to meet safety standards.
Negligent security compensation
When it comes to seeking compensation for negligent security, it's important to understand that criminal cases and civil cases are distinct legal processes. While a criminal case focuses on holding the perpetrator accountable for their actions through potential criminal charges and penalties, a civil case, such as a negligent security claim, centers on seeking financial compensation for the victim's losses.
The specific damages you can recover by filing a negligent security claim or lawsuit will depend on the circumstances of the assault and the extent of your injuries. Here are some common types of damages you may be able to recover:
- Hospital bills, doctor's fees, surgery costs, prescription medications, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
- Physical and emotional pain, suffering, and distress caused by the attack.
- Psychological and emotional trauma you experience as a result of the attack.
- Lost income and potential future earnings if your ability to work has been impaired.
- Personal property, such as clothing, jewelry, or electronic devices, if you were robbed.
- Punitive damages to punish the perpetrator and deter similar behavior in the future.
- If the assault resulted in the death of a loved one, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional impact of the loss.
Contact an experienced negligent security lawyer in Atlanta
Being the victim of a parking lot attack can be physically and emotionally devastating. If you or a loved one was harmed due to a shopping center owner's negligence, The Law Office of George S. Johnson, LLC can help you pursue the justice and financial compensation you deserve.
We're committed to seeking accountability for victims in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. Contact us to set up your free legal consultation. We'll be glad to answer any questions you have, listen to your story, and advise you on your rights. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you don't have to pay upfront lawyer fees for our services.