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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.

DISCLAIMERS:
The information contained in this post is from secondary sources and may therefore contain inaccuracies. We will gladly correct or remove this post upon request. 
 
The material contained in this post is not intended to constitute legal advice. As each Client is unique, please contact us for a free consultation on your particular case.
 
“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.

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North Carolina apartment residents have a right to feel safe and secure in their own homes. Yet, while home owners can implement any security precaution they deem necessary to protect themselves and their families, apartment tenants are largely at the mercy of their property owner and management company to deter crime. Security measures may include gated-entry, fencing, monitored surveillance cameras, off-duty police patrols, private security personnel, bright lighting, and background checks for both tenants and employees. Sadly, such precautions are all too often neglected to limit financial exposure. This inaction and greed can have devastating consequences.

According to WRAL, Durham police are searching for robbers who appear to be “targeting apartment complexes with large Hispanic populations.” There have been 13 reported robberies this week “and the suspects in each case displayed a gun before taking wallets, cash and cellphones from victims.”

The robberies raise grave questions about apartment complex security measures and what additional precautions property owners and management companies are taking to protect their tenants during this crime wave.

While security is ultimately the responsibility of the complex owner, Durham police urge apartment residents to take safety precautions:

  • Do not loiter in parking lots.
  • Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
  • Have your keys ready when approaching to enter your apartment or your vehicle.
  • Do not carry large amounts of money or jewelry.
  • Do not walk alone at night.
  • If someone is following you, do not drive directly to your neighborhood. Instead, drive to a well-lit area.
  • When you are walking, avoid strangers or groups of strangers.
  • Park your vehicle in well-lit areas.
  • Do not open your home door to strangers. Call 911 immediately.

Victims of Durham Apartment Assault or Injury: What Are My Legal Options for Justice and Compensation?

By law, North Carolina apartment complex owners have a duty to protect tenants and guests from any foreseeable harm. Should a property owner fail in this critical responsibility, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries, sexual assaults, or wrongful deaths suffered as a consequence. Compensation may be in the tens of millions of dollars. As each case and property is unique, victims of apartment crime should speak with an experienced security negligence firm as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as surveillance footage or broken lighting, is preserved and their best interests are protected.

Can I Afford an Attorney?

Our Clients frequently come in concerned that they won’t be able to afford legal help. We believe everyone has a right to exceptional legal service. We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. This means our interests are always tied to that of our Clients. Be sure to ask any potential personal injury attorney about their fee schedule and whether they represent Clientele on a contingency basis before signing a contract.

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(National Safety Council)

Holiday shoppers, balancing purchases, purses, keys and cellphones, are particularly vulnerable targets for crime.  The National Safety Council cautions, “Large parking lots, such as those found at shopping malls, are considered most vulnerable to crime, according to the Urban Institute Justice Policy Center. One way for consumers to steer clear of trouble is to pick a lot where pedestrian traffic is restricted and video surveillance equipment is used to monitor the facility.”

What can mall parking lot owners do to protect their patrons and deter crime this holiday season?

The Urban Institute’s Safe City guide urges property owners to assess crime and develop strategic plans to protect patrons. Suggested security strategies include:

  • Restrict pedestrian traffic through parking facility
  • Install video surveillance throughout parking facility
  • Keep parking facility clean and well maintained
  • Improve surveillance by keeping shrubs and trees well manicured
  • Reduce number of entrance/exit points
  • Install entrance/exit barriers
  • Require use of ticket for exit even if no parking fee is charged
  • Improve lighting in and around the parking facility
  • Hire a parking attendant or security guard to patrol the facility
  • Introduce bike patrols to patrol facility
  • Post signs to encourage drivers to protect themselves, for example: “Prevent theft: lock your car and hide valuables out of sight.”
  • Post warning signs to deter potential perpetrators, for example: “This area is under surveillance for your safety.”

Victims of Parking Facility Violence: Know Your Rights

Shopping center patrons have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises of the establishment they are visiting, both inside a business and outside in the parking lot. By law, property owners are required to protect all patrons legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. For example, should a shopping center owner have knowledge of prior violence on or near property, they have a responsibility to implement additional security precautions to protect patrons and deter such crime. Should a mall owner fail in this critical responsibility, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries, sexual assaults or wrongful deaths which occur as a consequence.

Can I Afford an Attorney?

Our Clients frequently come in concerned that they won’t be able to afford legal help. We believe everyone has a right to exceptional legal service. We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. This means our interests are always tied to that of our Clients. Be sure to ask any potential personal injury attorney about their fee schedule and whether they represent Clientele on a contingency basis before signing a contract.

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Apartment residents have a right to feel safe and secure in their own homes. Yet, while home owners can implement any security precaution they deem necessary to protect themselves and their families, apartment tenants are largely at the mercy of their property owner and management company to deter crime. Apartment complex security measures may include gated-entry, fencing, monitored surveillance cameras, visible security patrols, bright lighting, and background checks for tenants and employees. Sadly, such precautions are all too often neglected to limit financial exposure. This inaction and greed can have devastating consequences.

Survivors Fight Back

Apartment complex owners and management companies are required by law to provide a safe premises for all residents and guests legally on their property. They must prevent any foreseeable harm, such as rapes, sexual assaults, and shootings. For example, should an apartment complex owner have reason to anticipate a criminal act based on knowledge of a security lapse (such as broken fencing or lighting) or of previous crime on or near property (such as a prior sexual assault or break-in), he or she then has a duty to deter such crime and protect those legally on their premises from harm.

Should a property owner or management company fail in this legal responsibility, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries, sexual assaults or wrongful deaths, which occur as a consequence. Under such a claim, victims may be entitled to an award of damages that could include, among other items, substantial monetary compensation for: pain and suffering; past and future medical expenses; loss of wages and future earning capacity; and, emotional distress.

In May 2018, The AJC reports, a jury awarded an apartment rape survivor $1 billion dollars in a civil suit. The survivor, who was only 14-years-old at the time of the unconscionable assault, told media the verdict “validates her struggles and emotional pain.” The case also serves as a grave warning to other apartment complex owners, property managers and security companies to make resident safety their top priority.

Victims of Las Vegas Apartment Sexual Assault: What Are My Legal Options for Justice and Compensation?

As each case and property is unique, victims of apartment sexual assault should speak with an experienced security negligence firm as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as surveillance footage or broken lighting, is preserved and their best interests are protected.

Can I Afford an Attorney?

Our Clients frequently come in concerned that they won’t be able to afford legal help. We believe everyone has a right to exceptional legal service. We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. This means our interests are always tied to that of our Clients. Be sure to ask any potential personal injury attorney about their fee schedule and whether they represent Clientele on a contingency basis before signing a contract.

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Escalators-258x300Thousands of families will flock to malls this holiday season. While it can be a magical experience for children, festive store displays and bustling crowds can create or compound risks for young shoppers. Parents Magazine urges families to consider the following mall safety strategies:

Store Display Safety Strategy:

  • Play it safe — don’t let your child poke around displays and platforms. “Not all stores secure their mannequins and displays,” says Denise Dowd, M.D., chief of injury prevention at Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, in Kansas City, Missouri. “That means they can easily topple over.”
  • Discourage exploration. Your child may think that crawling underneath a display or clothing rack is tons of fun, but she could accidentally pull the whole thing down on top of her. Don’t let her reach for anything on a table above her sight line either — she might knock over heavy objects or cause the table to tip over.

Shopping Cart Safety Strategy:

  • Keep your kid out of the basket. Buckle her into the fold-down seat of the cart instead (just make sure the safety belt works).
  • Never allow your child to ride on the side or back of the cart.
  • Don’t place your baby carrier on top of the cart. The weight of the carrier may make it tip over.
  • Always stay within arm’s reach of your child when you go shopping — it only takes a second for her to fall or a cart to tip while your back is turned.

Escalator Safety Strategy:

  • Hold your child’s hand so you can guide him on and off the escalator and make sure that his fingers don’t get stuck in the gaps of the escalator’s handrail.
  • Tell your child to stand still and face forward. If he sits on the steps, his fingers and feet are closer to the escalator’s rotating parts.
  • Got a stroller? Take the elevator instead.
  • Check your child’s clothing. Make sure his shoelaces are tied, and don’t let him drag his coat or scarf on the ground….If your child gets stuck, hit the escalator’s emergency stop button (it’s usually at the top and bottom of the escalator), or yell at someone to do it for you if you aren’t near it.
Elevator Safety Strategy:
  • Never try to stop the doors from closing with your arm, foot, bag, or stroller.
  • Mind the gap. Make sure that the elevator is level with the floor before you exit. Your child could trip, or his foot could get stuck in the gap.
  • Stand at the back of the car if possible. Never let your child touch or lean on the elevator doors — that’s where most injuries happen.

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Halloween-themed amusement parks and haunted house attractions can pose serious risks to patrons, given frequently low lighting levels, short-term staffing, and frightened patrons. Although these attractions are meant to spook guests, owners have a duty to provide patrons with a safe and secure premises. Safety measures may include weapons screenings, proper staff training and background checks, clearly marked exits, smoke detectors, and crowd control procedures. Should property owners fail in this critical responsibility, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries, assaults or wrongful deaths which occur as a consequence.

According to CBS Baltimore, a man was stabbed while attending “Nashville Nightmare” with a group of friends Friday, October 12, 2018.

In October 2017, The Los Angeles Times reports, “chaos erupted…when about 15 to 20 teens began snatching cellphones and other belongings from patrons at California’s Great America Halloween Haunt.”

Victims of Halloween Amusement Park Accidents or Violence: Know Your Rights

Halloween amusement park patrons have a right to be safe and secure while enjoying the property. By law, amusement park owners have a duty to protect patrons from any foreseeable harm. This responsibility is particularly critical when overseeing the safety of families. Should an amusement park property owner fail to implement proper security precautions, safety training, or equipment inspections, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or deaths which occur as a consequence.

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ApartmentCrime-300x200Apartment residents have a right to provide a safe and secure home for their families. Unfortunately, tenants have little control over apartment community safety measures and access controls. As such, it is the duty of apartment complex owners and management companies to provide a safe premises for their tenants.

An October collaboration between the Memphis Housing Authority and SafeWays aims to improve safety conditions for thousands of residents.

SafeWays, a nonprofit whose mission is to improve the safety and quality of life for Shelby County apartment residents, has partnered with Memphis Housing Authority (MHA) to bring eight MHA-managed properties into its program. SafeWays’ goal is for every apartment neighborhood is to provide a sense of community and an environment free from continuous exposure to crime. MHA estimates about 2,450 households or approximately 4,587 individuals will be positively impacted by the new partnership, which began September 1, 2018. 

The eight MHA-managed properties that were brought into the SafeWays program on September 1, 2018 are:

Borda Towers, 21 Neely
Barry Homes, 255 Lauderdale
Jefferson Square, 741 Adams
Venson Center, 439 Beale
Montgomery Plaza, 1395 Pennsylvania
Kefauver Terrace, 7620 Robinson Cove
GE Patterson Pointe, 866 Latham
Askew Place, 521 Vance Park

Victims of Apartment Violence: Know Your Rights

Memphis apartment residents have a right to feel safe and secure in their homes and to protect their families and guests. By law, apartment owners are required to protect all residents and their guests from any foreseeable harm. Should an apartment complex owner fail in this critical responsibility, they may be held civilly liable for any sexual assaults, injuries or wrongful deaths which occur as a consequence.

Can I Afford an Attorney?

Our Clients frequently come in concerned that they won’t be able to afford legal help. We believe everyone has a right to exceptional legal service. We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. This means our interests are always tied to that of our Clients. Be sure to ask any potential personal injury attorney about their fee schedule and whether they represent Clientele on a contingency basis before signing a contract.

You Deserve Justice. We Can Help.

The Murray Law Firm has an extensive and successful record representing victims and families of negligent apartment security. We have recovered millions of dollars for our Clients, and we offer our legal assistance, if desired. 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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AutumnFamily-200x300As families prepare Halloween trick-or-treating plans and costumes, SafeKids Worldwide stresses the importance of also preparing safety strategies:

Walk Safely

  1. Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
  2. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
  3. Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
  4. Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
  5. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to
    the left as possible.  Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
  6. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Trick or Treat with an Adult

  1. Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.

Keep Costumes Both Creative and Safe

  1. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
  2. Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
  3. Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
  4. When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

Drive Extra Safely on Halloween

  1. Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
  2. Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
  3. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
  4. Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
  5. Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
  6. Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

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(Ozarks First)

“In the past five years, hundreds of commercial zip-line parks have opened in the United States. At least 400 are open nationwide, and more are on the way. You can zip-line across ski runs in the off-season at Hunter Mountain in New York or over giraffes at the Columbus Zoo. In Paso Robles, California, you can ride the Pinot Express zip line over the Santa Margarita Ranch vineyard. You can even zip-line in your own backyard using DIY kits from companies like Slackers and Ripline,” Outside Online reports. “As adventure parks make their way across the Pacific and open in every U.S. state, the question to ask: Is anyone regulating them?”

Following the tragic deaths of two children, WRAL reports, North Carolina “families are pushing for greater oversight for the industry that currently has very little.”

Rides at the State Fair undergo state inspections each year. So do ski lifts, elevators and moving walkways at the airport. But zip lines and ropes courses don’t get the same treatment….In North Carolina, inspections are self-regulated by the aerial adventure industry.

In July 2018, a “new ropes course at [a lodge]” was temporarily closed “after a child fell,” according to Ozarks First. The young victim was transported to the hospital in “stable” condition.

In September 2018, CBS Boston reports, Duxbury firefighters rescued a 12-year-old girl, who was found “dangling 30 feet in the air by her ankles” on a “a high angle ropes confidence course at [a local camp].”

Victims of Adventure Course Accidents: Know Your Rights

Adventure course patrons have a right to be safe and secure while enjoying the property. By law, adventure course owners have a duty to protect patrons from any foreseeable harm. This responsibility is particularly critical when overseeing the safety of children. Should an adventure course property owner fail to implement proper security precautions, safety training, or equipment inspections, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or deaths which occur as a consequence.

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Bars and nightclubs are often targeted for criminal activity given late hours of operation, typically low levels of lighting, and (frequently) impaired patrons.

According to an April Detroit News investigation, “police have stepped up patrols and enforcement at three downtown clubs in response to gunplay, stabbings and fights outside the venues.” Detroit police Capt. Octaveious D. Miles allegedly told media, “The Bleu Club, the Annex and St. Brigids Bathtub Pub are ‘problem spots.'”

Victims of Michigan Nightclub Violence and Sexual Assault: Know Your Rights

Bar and nightclub patrons have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises of the establishment they are visiting. By law, Michigan property owners are required to protect all patrons legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. Should a nightclub owner fail in this critical responsibility, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries, sexual assaults, or wrongful deaths which occur as a consequence.

Can I Afford an Attorney?

Our Clients frequently come in concerned that they won’t be able to afford legal help. We believe everyone has a right to exceptional legal service. We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. This means our interests are always tied to that of our Clients. Be sure to ask any potential personal injury attorney about their fee schedule and whether they represent Clientele on a contingency basis before signing a contract.

We’ve Recovered Millions for Victims of Nightclub Security Negligence…Contact us Now for a Free Consultation.

Headline Frame Fox News DeskThe 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 we 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.

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