Shootings at apartment complexes are tragic and often preventable. While the person who pulled the trigger bears criminal responsibility, the property owner may also be held legally accountable under Georgia law—especially when there’s a pattern of violence and poor security measures on the premises.
In Georgia, apartment complex owners have a legal duty to protect residents and guests from foreseeable criminal activity. When they fail to provide basic security, victims and their families may have grounds to sue for negligent security.
Georgia law requires apartment complexes to take reasonable steps to protect residents
Property owners are not automatically liable for every crime that occurs on their premises. However, they can be held responsible when they fail to take reasonable safety precautions, particularly in areas with a known history of crime.
Some of the most important security measures expected at apartment complexes include:
- Working locks on entry doors and gates
- Sufficient lighting in parking areas, stairwells, and walkways
- Functional surveillance cameras
- Trained security personnel in high-crime areas
- Prompt responses to tenant complaints or crime reports
The more crime that has occurred on or near the property, the stronger the legal expectation that the owner will take action to prevent future incidents.
You must prove the shooting was foreseeable and linked to poor security
To win a negligent security case, the victim (or surviving family members) must prove:
- The property owner had a duty to provide reasonable security
- That duty was breached through inaction or inadequate safety measures
- The breach directly contributed to the shooting or assault
- The crime was foreseeable based on prior incidents
For example, if tenants had complained about break-ins, gunfire, or gang activity and management failed to respond, that history could support a legal claim. The courts will often look at whether a reasonable property owner would have taken action under the same circumstances.
Prior crime data and property records can strengthen your case
One of the most powerful tools in a negligent security case is the property’s own history. Past police reports, 911 calls, or news coverage of previous crimes can be used to show that the apartment complex had notice of safety concerns. Courts in Georgia generally allow this evidence to help establish foreseeability.
Other useful documentation includes:
- Maintenance logs showing broken locks or cameras
- Security staffing records
- Internal emails about safety concerns
- Photos or videos of poorly lit or unsecured areas
An experienced attorney can help gather this evidence through investigations and legal discovery.
Insurance exclusions may limit coverage, but there are legal ways around them
Most apartment complexes carry liability insurance, but many of these policies contain assault and battery exclusions. These exclusions may cap or deny compensation for injuries resulting from violent crimes.
Despite this, there are legal strategies to work around such exclusions. Some attorneys pursue claims under Georgia’s Fair Business Practices Act if the complex falsely advertised its safety. Others have challenged exclusion clauses based on ambiguous policy language or by focusing on mental anguish damages that fall outside the exclusion’s scope.
The bottom line is that the presence of an insurance exclusion does not automatically mean a victim has no options.
Call Schneider Injury Law if you or a loved one was harmed in an apartment shooting
If you were injured or lost someone due to a shooting at an apartment complex, Schneider Injury Law can help you explore your legal options. We understand how to build negligent security claims, navigate complex insurance issues, and fight for full compensation for your losses.
We offer free consultations and only get paid if we recover money for you. Use our contact form or call our office to speak with a member of our legal team today.