A shooting at Green Meadows apartments in Macon left a 26-year-old man dead and a teenager wounded. It happened around 2 a.m. on Sunday, December 8, 2024. When police got there, they found two people shot. The older person who was shot ultimately died at the hospital; however, the 17-year-old survived and is now stable.
This was not the first time this area had experienced a shooting. In fact, there was another shooting on Log Cabin Drive that day. Just hours earlier, someone shot a woman who was putting up Christmas decorations.
Apartment Owners Are Required to Take Reasonable Steps to Keep Residents Safe
Georgia law says apartment owners need to protect their residents. When crimes keep happening in the same place, owners can't just ignore it. They need to make changes to stop more people from getting hurt.
Ultimately, these negligent security cases exist because we don’t want unsafe business properties in our communities. As a society, we understand that the next person that gets shot, stabbed, or sexually assaulted could be us or our loved one. So, if a business property has a history of crime, we expect owners and managers to take steps to protect visitors. If they don’t they could be held liable for allowing an environment that attracts crime and violent acts.
The argument from the other side is often something like this: “Well, it was the criminal that attacked the victim, not us.” However, that’s akin to blaming ants for stinging someone when you leave candy all over the yard. Yea, sure … there’s ants in the yard anyway. However, when you put the candy out there, you created a situation where there was a 100% chance that someone would get stung.
Criminals commit crimes on properties where they feel like they can get away with it. It’s rarely a coincidence. Also, criminals tend to talk to each other. So, certain properties become crime “hot spots” because criminals know there’s a good chance they’ll get away with their acts on those properties.
What Makes a Strong Negligent Security Case at an Apartment Complex?
We build these cases by showing a clear pattern of crime that the apartment owner ignored. We get police reports, 911 calls, and resident complaints to prove the owner knew about dangers but didn't fix them. Simple things like broken gates, dark parking lots, or missing security guards tell us the owner put profit over safety.
Past crimes matter most in these cases. If other people got robbed, attacked, sexually assaulted, or shot at the same complex, the owner can't claim they didn't see it coming. We work with security experts who tell us what the complex should have done, like adding cameras, fixing lights, or hiring guards. When owners skip basic security to save money, they put everyone at risk.
The key is connecting the dots between past crimes, broken security, and your injury. Maybe the gate stayed broken for months after a string of break-ins. Or management ignored complaints about suspicious people hanging around dark areas. When we show the owner knew about dangers but did nothing, that's when we have the best odds of winning these cases.
Call our office at 321-LAWSUIT to learn if you have a case. We'll evaluate it for free, and we don’t get paid unless we get money for you. So, there’s no risk in giving us a call.
What is the Basic Security Every Apartment Complex Should Provide?
Georgia law says apartment owners must protect residents from crime. This means more than just locks on doors. Every complex should have working gates, clear cameras, and adequate lights in all areas. Dark spots and broken security equipment create perfect places for criminals to hide. When owners skip basic security to save money, people get hurt or killed.
When residents report broken gates, faulty locks, or suspicious activity, management should act appropriately to remedy any security issues. Quick fixes stop small problems from becoming big ones. In high-crime areas, complexes may also need trained security guards making regular patrols. These basic steps can stop most apartment crimes before they happen.
Key security features that every safe apartment complex should have:
- Working gates and controlled entry points
- Security cameras covering all common areas
- Proper lighting in parking lots and walkways
- Quick repairs of broken security equipment
- Security guards in high-crime areas
- Clear system for reporting security problems
If you got hurt because an apartment complex skipped basic security steps, call us at 321-LAWSUIT. Our team knows how to prove when owners put profit over safety.
What Compensation is Available for Negligent Security Victims in Georgia?
Georgia law allows victims of apartment complex crimes to recover significant compensation when owners fail to provide basic security. Our team fights to recover every dollar you deserve - not just for immediate expenses, but for all future costs too. When apartment owners put profit over safety and someone gets hurt, we do everything within our power to make sure they pay for all the harm they caused.
These cases often bring substantial settlements and verdicts because they expose how property owners ignored obvious dangers. When we prove an owner knew about crime problems but chose not to fix them, juries understand the true cost of cutting corners on security. Here's what you can recover under Georgia law:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care and future treatment
- Lost wages from missing work during recovery
- Future income you'll lose if you can't return to your job
- Physical pain and suffering from your injuries
- Emotional trauma and mental health treatment
- Cost of rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Changes needed to your home due to injuries
- Funeral costs and loss of support in death cases
- Loss of enjoyment of life due to permanent injuries
- Punitive damages in cases of extreme negligence
Talk to Our Negligent Security Lawyers About Your Potential Case
If someone hurt you or killed your loved one at an apartment complex, we can help. We know how to prove these cases, and we handle these cases in states all around the country. We've helped victims and their families get justice, and we’re happy to help you.
Call us at 321-LAWSUIT. We'll talk to you for free, and you won't pay us unless we win your case.
