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Six Injured in DeKalb, Illinois Apartment Fire at 808 Ridge Drive. (Stock Photo: MurrayLegal.com)

Could the injuries from this apartment fire have been prevented and are justice and compensation available to the victims? Read Our Legal Take below to find out what legal options are available.

Local News

A fire engulfed a DeKalb, Illinois apartment building Tuesday night, March 25, 2019, leaving multiple people injured and hundreds of tenants searching for housing.  According to Daily-Chronicle.com, ” fire crews responded to a 10:54 p.m. call for a fire at [an] Apartment complex at 808 Ridge Drive.”  Per the report, the fire is being ruled intentional after crews discovered mattresses were set ablaze in a third-floor common area.  According to the report, “[s]ix people were taken to Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, one with life-threatening injuries.”

Residents at the complex feel that safety measures and equipment are in question at the complex.  As reported by Daily-Chronicle.com, a resident said “three people tried to pull the fire alarms manually and the system did not appear to be working.”  another resident told the news outlet “I didn’t hear the fire alarms going off…I heard somebody banging on my door, that’s what made us get up.”  According to WSPYnews.com, “Police say some people were unable to get out of the building. DeKalb firefighters used ladders to rescue them.” The building was condemned because of the extent of the fire damage, leaving 140 tenants displaced, according to the report.

This is apparently not the first fire incident at the complex.  According to a Daily-Chronicle.com report, the DeKalb City Manager stated  “[t]he…complex has been the scene of multiple arson fires in recent years…and city officials have tried to ramp up security measures in the building despite…lack of action on the property managers’ part.”

The fire is being investigated by the DeKalb Police and Fire departments and the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Our Legal Take

As the fire department continues its investigation, premises liability attorneys with The Murray Law Firm question whether a lack of fire safety measures at the complex may have contributed to this incident.

• What fire safety measures, such as working smoke detectors, fire sprinklers and emergency exits, were in place and working at the time of the fire?
• When was the last fire inspection performed on the property?
• Were any safety measures added after any previous fires?

As details of this fire continue to emerge, The Murray Law Firm suggests that it is possible that the apartment complex failed to undertake proper safety measures to protect those residents and guests legally on the premises. Under certain State law, the owner and management company of an apartment complex have a duty to protect residents and to keep the premises safe. If the owner or manager fails in this duty, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths that occur as a consequence.  Should the DeKalb apartment complex be found at fault, the victims may elect to hold the owner and management company civilly liable for their injuries and suffering. Financial recovery for such a claim could be substantial.

As insurance companies and unscrupulous property owners are often more concerned with limiting their financial exposure in these incidents, it is crucial that the victims retain an experienced premises liability firm as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as a faulty fire alarm or a poor evacuation plan, is preserved and the victims best interests are protected. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in premises liability and apartment negligence cases, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.

If anyone has information to share, or if anyone is seeking information regarding this incident, please contact us at 888.842.1616.

Our Results

The Murray Law Firm has obtained over $100 million dollars for its Clients, and recently secured a $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property.

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 CALL NOW: 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.

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Woman Shot and Injured at Fort Worth Game Room. (Stock Photo: MurrayLegal.com)

Could this shooting have been prevented and are justice and compensation available to the victim? Read Our Legal Take below to find out what legal options are available.

Fort Worth News

Gunfire erupted at a Fort Worth, Texas game room Wednesday morning, July 10, 2019, leaving one woman injured.  According to DallasNews.com, a woman was shot outside a Fort Worth game room and police believe it was an attempted robbery.  Per the report, “[t]he woman was found around 1:40 a.m. outside the game room in the 2600 block of Azle Avenue in northwest Fort Worth.” As reported by Star-Telegram.com, the victim was taken to a local hospital and suffered serious injuries in the shooting.

The shooting remains under investigation, no suspects have been identified according to the media reports.

Our Legal Take

Business patrons have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises they are visiting. The level of security provided at the game room is of significance, and is a relevant consideration when analyzing whether this assault may have been prevented.  The following questions are also important in assessing whether this incident may have been avoided:

• Have there been prior incidents of violence on or near the property?
• Was the establishment properly staffed with security personnel?
• What security measures, such as bright lighting, visible surveillance cameras, and security personnel, were in place to deter crime and protect the victim and others at the time of the shooting?

Property owners are generally required to protect against foreseeable harm to anyone and everyone legally on the premises.  Should the investigation into this incident reveal facts that establish that the business owner or management lacked adequate security to protect its visitors, the victim may seek justice and elect to pursue legal claims and substantial compensation for her injuries.

The Murray Law Firm has extensive and successful experience in handling security negligence claims on behalf of victims and their families, and suggests that an immediate, unbiased inspection of the property will need to be performed so as to limit evidence from being altered, damaged or destroyed.  The complexities of pursuing a negligent security case are well understood by the legal team at The Murray Law Firm, and it is imperative that the victim retain a capable law firm who will work without delay to protect her interests.

OUR RESULTS: OVER $100 MILLION IN VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS FOR OUR CLIENTS

The Murray Law Firm has a long and successful history of representing victims of violence and security negligence at bars and restaurants in Georgia.  We have obtained over $100 Million in verdicts and settlements for our Clients, including 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.

Click Here to Find Out How to Choose the Right Attorney

Richmond Apartment Complex Shooting Leaves Pregnant Woman Injured. (WTVR.com)

Did negligent security contribute to the shooting at a Richmond apartment complex and are justice and compensation available to the victim?  Read Our Legal Take below to find out what legal options are available.

LOCAL NEWS

Gunfire erupted at a Richmond, Virginia apartment complex Tuesday afternoon, July 9, 2019, leaving one woman injured.  As reported by WRIC.com, “[o]fficers responded to the 2200 block of Summer Hill Avenue at 2:46 p.m. for reports of a shooting.”  WTVR.com is reporting, “[w]hen police arrived, they found an adult female suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. She was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.”  A nephew of the woman told WRIC.com that the victim was pregnant and that the victim and the baby are expected to survive.

A suspect has not been identified according to the media reports.

OUR LEGAL TAKE

Residents and guests of apartment complexes have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises. The level of security provided at the apartment complex is of significance, and is a relevant consideration when analyzing whether this shooting may have been prevented.  The following questions are also important in assessing whether this incident may have been avoided:

• What security measures were in place to deter crime and protect the victim at the time of the shooting?
• Have there been prior incidents of violence on the property, and were any security measures added after any prior incidents?
• Was the complex aware of any disturbances or suspicious activity prior to the shooting?

Property owners are generally required to protect against foreseeable harm to anyone and everyone legally on the premises.  Should the investigation into this incident reveal facts that establish that the apartment complex owner or management lacked adequate security to protect its residents and visitors, the victim may seek justice and elect to pursue legal claims and substantial compensation for her injuries.

The Murray Law Firm has extensive and successful experience in handling security negligence claims on behalf of victims and their families, and suggests that an immediate, unbiased inspection of the property will need to be performed so as to limit evidence from being altered, damaged or destroyed.  The complexities of pursuing a negligent security case are well understood by the legal team at The Murray Law Firm, and it is imperative that the victim retain a capable law firm who will work without delay to protect her interests.

OUR RESULTS: OVER $100 MILLION IN VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS FOR OUR CLIENTS

The Murray Law Firm has a long history of representing victims of violence and security negligence.  We have obtained over $100 Million in verdicts and settlements for our Clients, including 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 (Click Here)