Legal Question in Personal Injury in Georgia
Criminal Assault/Civil Suit
My son was beaten by an employee of a bar on 2/1/08. At the time he declined to press charges as he was confused about the process. He also did not go to a hospital as he does not have medical insurance. The next day he took pictures of his injuries. Yesterday he went to an urgent care center where he had x-rays of his chin and jaw and rec'd a referral to a surgeon and a throat specialist as my son is a singer and has a burgeoning career just getting off the ground. The doctor I spoke with by phone (I live in another state) said he needed to be watched for another 72 hours as he may have a concussion. Since Friday evening my son has received a message in writing from the assailant's wife apologizing for her husband's actions, which of course he has saved. I am looking for a referral to an attorney in GA for him who will be proactive in representing him as his advocate-and by the way, the brute who attacked him may be in the military. I am still trying to piece all of this together but I know we need to begin to act on this as quickly as possible. I do not want to draw this out- we want a victim's advocate and any advice would be greatly appreciated. By the way, my son is gay so this may also fall under a hate-crime law.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Criminal Assault/Civil Suit
Let me first express my regret for this brutal attack on your son. The major legal issue is whether the bar is legally responsible for the attack or altercation. Was the employee employed as a "bouncer" or security personnel?
Our firm has represented several victims of assault - some due to inadeqate security or training, and some based on assaults by club security personnel.
I would be interested in discussing this matter with you or your son further. Please feel free to contact my office.
Re: Criminal Assault/Civil Suit
An attorney will want to start working with your son as soon as possible to discuss his legal options in recovering from this regretable incident. Meanwhile, he should avoid discussing the episode with anyone, other than treating physicians, who need to know about how he was injured. As a nurse attorney, I advocate for injured victims regularly. Your son may call me. The information received will be treated in confidence.