Atlanta Shooting Victim Attorney
Shooting accidents and intentional violence can cause havoc in a person’s life. Shooting victims experience a multitude of devastating and life-threatening injuries. At the Asten Hall Firm, our Atlanta shooting victim attorney is here to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Can a Shooting Victim File a Personal Injury Claim?
A shooting victim has the right to file a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim is a civil matter where an injured party seeks to recover financial compensation for a negligent or intentional act.
Gunfire is usually the result of an intentional act, often bringing criminal charges for the responsible party. While a shooting victim may gain some satisfaction from their attacker facing criminal penalties, it does little to cover their medical expenses.
How Much Medical Treatment is Required for Shooting Victims in Atlanta?
Shooting victims face a multitude of unexpected costs related to their injuries. Gunfire victims typically endure:
Numerous studies have examined the long-term mental and physical effects of gunshot victims. The Washington Post reports that shooting victims experience a disproportionate amount of unemployment and substance abuse problems, and are at a higher risk of suicide.
A study by the Radiological Society of North America has shown that the place a person has been shot correlates directly with significant long-term health complications. For example, shooting victims who were wounded in the chest or abdomen are 33% more likely to be readmitted to a hospital.
The study furthers that neurological injuries were the most common complication for gunshot victims. Another 16% of shooting victims were readmitted due to complications from the original injury, usually necessitating three additional surgeries.
Why Should a Shooting Victim File a Civil Lawsuit in Addition to the Criminal Charges?
Criminal charges are meant to punish wrongdoing. However, civil lawsuits allocate blame differently and seek to make the victim “whole” in the eyes of the law.
The concept of making a person whole again is derived from tort law. It is a doctrine that seeks to restore a victim to the condition they were in prior to being injured. Typically, this is reflected monetarily.
For example, a responsible party, or their insurance company, will cover medical expenses and other bills directly related to the incident. In addition, a shooting victim’s physical and emotional pain will be quantified monetarily.
By filing a personal injury claim, an Atlanta shooting victim can place the financial burden of their injuries where it belongs.
Are There Different Types of Shooting Incidents in Atlanta?
At the Asten Hall Firm, we handle a variety of shooting incidents in Atlanta, Georgia.
Accidental Shooting Victim
Though rare, some gunshot victims are injured by accident. Whether a gun owner was simply negligent or the gun misfired, accidents can happen.
According to an article by Aftermath, in the last reporting year:
Most accidental shooting victims are under the age of 24. They are typically shot by someone close to their own age and usually by a family member or friend.
Homicide Shooting Victim
Homicide shooting victims are gunned down with the intent to kill. Homicide is a more formal term for murder. According to The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence (EFSGV), 41% of gun-related deaths in Georgia are due to homicide.
The surviving family members of a homicide shooting victim have the right to seek compensation in a wrongful death claim. Recoverable damages can range from burial and funeral expenses to other unexpected costs. While financial compensation cannot bring back a loved one, it can serve to offer the family closure.
Manslaughter Shooting Victim
Manslaughter and homicide are legal terms that define the extent of intent involved in a person’s death. While homicide means murder, manslaughter is generally used to describe a crime of passion or self-defense. For example, a manslaughter shooting victim may suffer their injuries in a domestic violence or road rage incident.
Mass Shooting Victim
Mass shootings typically make national news, bringing heartache and devastation in their wake. We have seen an unprecedented amount of mass shootings in recent years.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, mass shootings jumped from 417 incidents in 2019 to 611 shootings in 2020. The last reporting year has been record-setting. According to extensive data, the US averages two mass shootings a month. However, in the last reporting year, mass shootings have averaged two per week.
Armed Robbery or Aggravated Robberies Shooting Victim
Several small business establishments are vulnerable to armed robbery or aggravated robbery in the Atlanta area. Despite the financial motives for the crime, robbers often resort to deadly force with a gun.
According to recent data, in the last reporting year:
Unfortunately, many armed robberies turn deadly in the heat of the moment.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Shooting Incident?
Civil litigation differs from criminal prosecution. While the shooter is held criminally responsible for gun violence, civil litigation deals with negligence. As a result, there may be multiple parties that can be held liable in a shooting victim claim.
For example, depending on where the shooting took place, a property owner may be held responsible under a premises liability claim. Premises liability holds that property owners have a duty to maintain a reasonably safe space. If a lack of security led to the shooting, a property owner may be held liable.
If the shooter is an employee and shoots a person while on duty or at their establishment, the employer may be held liable. For example, suppose a delivery driver opens fire in a road rage incident. Shooting victims may be able to file a civil action against the delivery company for negligence.
Every shooting incident is unique, with a different set of circumstances to consider. It is best to speak to an experienced and qualified lawyer to determine all liable parties.
How Can an Atlanta Shooting Victim Attorney from Asten Hall Firm Help?
The Asten Hall Firm has years of experience defending the rights of shooting victims. Gun violence has become a daily occurrence in our great city. In addition to criminal charges, gunfire victims deserve to be heard in civil court. Our Atlanta shooting victim attorneys will work tirelessly to recover the financial compensation our clients need to move on with their lives.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a shooting incident, please schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team to discuss your options.
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