How Violent Crime Injury Attorneys Can Help You Recover

The aftermath of violent crimes can leave a lasting impact on victims and their loved ones. The physical injuries aside, survivors may struggle with emotional trauma and face significant expenses, such as medical treatment. In such a scenario, hiring a violent crime injury attorney can be crucial to seeking justice and obtaining compensation for the injuries sustained. That's where Morgan & Morgan, America's largest injury firm, comes in.

Our army of violent crime injury attorneys can help fight for you and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. We know how painful it is to nurse injuries caused by someone else's violent conduct. It's even worse if a third party was reckless or negligent, enabling the violent incident to occur.

Who Is a Violent Crime Injury Lawyer?

A violent crime injury lawyer represents individuals who have been physically or emotionally harmed by violent crimes. These lawyers usually have extensive experience handling cases involving intentional or negligent actions by another person that harm their clients.

Can You Sue for Violent Crime Injury?

Yes, you can sue the perpetrator or a third party for your injuries and damages. However, filing a lawsuit for a violent crime injury can be tricky and confusing. For instance, you'll need to understand and navigate complex laws (keep in mind that these laws vary from state to state), fill out paperwork containing a lot of 'legalese', keep up with strict deadlines, and so on. To avoid jeopardizing your claim, consider seeking the guidance of an experienced violent crime injury attorney. Later in this article, we will discuss how such an attorney can help.

Who Can You Sue for Violent Crime Injury?

When filing a lawsuit for injuries sustained in a violent crime, liability may vary depending on the circumstances of the crime. That said, here are some potential parties that could be held responsible for a violent crime injury:

The perpetrator of the crime: You can sue the individual who committed the violent crime. If you win the case, you may obtain compensation for the damages you sustained due to their actions.
 
Property owner: Suppose the violent crime occurred on someone else's property, and they failed to provide adequate security or failed to prevent the crime in the first place. In that case, they may be held responsible for your injuries.

Take, for example, an apartment complex that failed to repair your lock within a reasonable timeframe, even after you submitted a maintenance request. If someone breaks into your apartment and assaults you or your loved one, the landlord or property management company may be liable.

Employers: Think of a situation where the perpetrator of the crime was an employee of a company, and the crime occurred during the course of their employment. In that case, you could sue the employer for negligent hiring or supervision, especially if the perpetrator had a history of violence and the employer failed to conduct thorough screening during the hiring process.

Government agencies: In some cases, you may sue government agencies responsible for public safety. The police department or the local government are examples of agencies that may be subjected to such lawsuits. If you win the lawsuit, the agency may be held liable if their negligence contributed to your injury. However, remember that most states make it difficult (but not impossible) for plaintiffs to sue government agencies. For example, in New Mexico, you must notify the government about your intention to sue within 90 days of the incident. Failure to do so could mean losing your right to sue.

What Should I Do if I Am a Victim of a Violent Crime Injury?

It is important to understand the steps you should take to protect yourself and your rights. While there are many different things you should do in such a scenario, we've narrowed it down to the most important. This is just an overview of what you should do; the exact steps will also depend on the unique circumstances of your case.

• Seek medical attention immediately to treat any physical injuries and assess any potential long-term effects of the injury.
• Contact the police to report the crime and provide as much information as possible about the incident and the perpetrator.
• Gather any relevant information or material that could help prove your case, if possible. This includes but is not limited to photos, videos, or even witness information.
• Keep a record of any medical treatment you receive and any expenses related to the injury. This record will help file a compensation claim later on.
• An experienced violent crime injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and options for seeking compensation for your injuries. Get in touch with them as soon as possible for a case evaluation. They will also guide you throughout the legal process and protect your rights.

What Kinds of Violent Crimes Can I Sue For?

As a victim of a violent crime, you can sue for various injuries and damages resulting from the crime. Some common examples of violent crimes that may warrant a personal injury lawsuit include assault and battery, sexual assault and rape, domestic violence, and homicide.

Assault and battery are intentional acts of violence that harm the victim physically. These types of crimes can lead to different injuries, from cuts and bruises to more serious injuries, such as broken bones, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries.

Sexual assault and rape involve non-consensual sexual acts that can cause physical and emotional trauma to the victim. In addition, victims of sexual assault and rape may suffer from physical injuries and long-term psychological trauma such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Domestic violence can include physical, emotional, and psychological abuse by a spouse, partner, or family member. Victims of domestic violence may suffer from physical injuries, including emotional and psychological harm such as anxiety, PTSD, and depression.

If a loved one died due to a violent crime, such an incident could warrant a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for your losses. If you win the case, you may recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

Note that these damages vary from case to case, so you should contact an experienced violent crime injury attorney to help you understand your rights and options for seeking compensation. 

What Damages Are Available to Victims of Violent Crimes in a Lawsuit?

When you file a personal injury lawsuit as a victim of violent crimes, you may recover compensation for medical expenses related to your injuries. These expenses include but are not limited to hospital bills, doctor's visits, medication, and therapy.

If you cannot work due to your injuries, you may recover lost wages or loss of earning capacity in your lawsuit against the other party.

You may also seek compensation for physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the violent crime. This compensation covers physical injuries and emotional trauma such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

In the case of property damage during the crime, you may recover the cost of repairs or replacement. For example, if your car was damaged during a robbery, you could seek compensation for the cost of repairs or replacement of the vehicle on top of other damages.

You may also be eligible for punitive damages. These are the kind of damages intended to punish the perpetrator for their actions and deter similar behavior in the future. However, punitive damages are never guaranteed; only the judge or jury can decide whether you are eligible for this compensation.

What Are Some Real-Life Examples of Violent Crimes That Could Result in a Lawsuit?

Here are a few real-life examples of violent crimes that have resulted in lawsuits:

Police brutality: In 2020, the family of George Floyd filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis and four police officers involved in his death. Floyd's death sparked nationwide protests and calls for police reform.

Sexual assault: In 2018, former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for sexually assaulting more than 250 girls and women. Many of his victims have filed lawsuits against him and the organizations that employed him, alleging negligence and failure to protect them.

Workplace violence: In 2018, five people were killed and several others injured in a shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland. The victims' families filed a lawsuit against the shooter's employer, alleging that they failed to adequately screen him before hiring. They also failed to take action when they learned about his violent behavior.

Domestic violence: In 2019, a woman in Tennessee filed a lawsuit against her ex-husband, who had been convicted of assaulting her and sentenced to probation. The lawsuit alleged that the ex-husband's employer, an auto parts manufacturer, should have done more to prevent him from carrying out the assault, as he had threatened to harm his ex-wife while on the job.

How Can Morgan & Morgan Violent Crime Injury Lawyers Help?

At Morgan & Morgan, we have been fighting for the rights of victims of violent crimes since 1988. Here are some reasons to consider hiring us for your violent crime injury case.

Experience: Our law firm has over 35 years of experience fighting for the rights of the injured. And the best part is that we represent clients nationwide, meaning there's always a Morgan & Morgan attorney ready to fight for you regardless of location.

Resources: Our firm boasts powerful resources to conduct in-depth investigations and build strong cases for our clients. Our access to medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and other professionals can provide valuable support for your case.

Results: We have a proven track record of successfully recovering compensation for our clients, including multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. Over the years, we have recovered over $20 billion in compensation and still counting.

Personalized attention: Morgan & Morgan takes a client-focused approach, treating each case as unique and providing personalized attention to each client. We understand the emotional impact of a violent crime and work closely with our clients to provide support and guidance throughout the legal process. For instance, when you hire us to represent you, we will assign a team of legal experts, including attorneys and paralegals, to your case. You can then reach out whenever you have questions or concerns about your case.

No upfront fees: We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win your case. As a result, there are no upfront fees or out-of-pocket expenses for clients, making legal representation more accessible for those who may not have the financial resources to pay for an attorney upfront.

Let Morgan & Morgan Violent Crime Lawyers Fight Back on Your Behalf 

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a violent crime, contact us for a free case evaluation. If you have valid grounds to take legal action against the other party, we can help you fight back not with fists and blows but with logic. We can help hold the perpetrator or enabler accountable and protect your best interests.

The last thing you want as a victim of violent crime is to deal with the pain alone, knowing that you'll likely have medical bills and other expenses to worry about somewhere down the line. But that should not be your responsibility; you deserve justice, and that's why Morgan & Morgan is here to help.

Violent crime lawsuits are time-sensitive; contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.