Like any other city in the country, the city of Atlanta allows for negligent security cases to be settled out of court provided specific criteria are met. A plaintiff will have to show:
- That the property owner had a duty to keep visitors to the property safe;
- The property owner breached their duty;
- The injury that the victim sustained was a result of the breach of duty; and
- The victim suffered damages as a result of the injury.
When a victim can prove these elements in court, they stand a good chance of being awarded damages by a judge. In some cases, a victim may choose to settle out of court. When both sides agree to settle, the victim may be awarded damages for:
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- Medical bills: This includes reimbursement for medical bills that have already been paid and those that will accumulate in the future.
- Lost wages: In some instances, an injury may result in the victim’s inability to return to work. A defendant may agree to pay lost wages to the victim. The defendant may also have to pay for employment training if the victim is permanently unable to return to their previous type of employment.
- Noneconomic damages: Some injured parties may also be awarded damages for factors like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, mental anguish and more.
No victim of negligent security in Atlanta should accept a settlement offer without first speaking to an experienced attorney. An attorney who has experience with negligent security law can help a victim negotiate a fair settlement. It’s important to understand that once a settlement is accepted, its terms cannot be altered.