Growing Danger of Violent Crime on School Campuses
Schools used to be a safe place for children seeking educational and socialization opportunities, but violence is rising on school campuses throughout the nation, and Atlanta is no exception.
Metal detectors and armed security guards are common and a constant reminder of how school safety has changed in recent years. One of the leading causes given by children who avoid school is fear of being the victim of harassment or physical violence. The growth of gang activity in our schools has fostered increased violence and weapons possession on school grounds and has prompted a wave of violent crime in schools that is both grotesque and disturbing.
A few disturbing statistics reveal the extent of the problem:
- 1 in 4 victims of violent crimes are between the ages of 12-17 years old.
- 3 out of every 10 homicides by juveniles are killings of other children.
- 73 percent of high school students consider teenage violence and crime to be a major problem.
- 4,173 teenagers ages 15-19 are killed each year in accidents involving firearms.
- 135,000 children bring guns to school on any given day.
The violence is not confined to bad neighborhoods or bad parts of town anymore. Parents even in middle class and affluent neighborhoods need to be aware that their children may be exposed to acts of violence at school and may suffer serious injuries caused by schoolyard attacks. If your child becomes a victim of a violent crime at school, you as a parent do have recourse. When a child is the victim of a violent crime, he or she may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the school if school officials failed to take adequate precautions to prevent a violent attack on school grounds. With the help of an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney, victims can often receive financial compensation for their injuries, medical costs, pain and suffering and/or other damages.
The state of Georgia set up the Georgia Crime Victim Compensation Board to aid victims of violent crime with the financial hardship associated with these circumstances. Victims of violent crime can be compensated by the State of Georgia for up to $10,000 for their expenses, which is separate from damages in a civil lawsuit. These expenses can include costs for medical care, psychological care and other emergency expenses.
The board's definition of a victim includes a person who is physically injured, dies, or suffers financial hardship as a result of being a victim of a violent crime. Common violent crimes, which may occur on a school campus and result in the right to compensation in a personal injury lawsuit or from the Georgia Crime Victim Compensation Board, may include:
- Homicide shootings
- Rape
- Sexual assault
- Child abuse
- Domestic/family violence
- DUI crashes
- Assaults
- Battery
If your child or another loved one has been the victim of a violent crime on school grounds, an experienced Georgia violent crime victim attorney can represent your child in seeking compensation for your child’s injuries. At Montlick and Associates, we have been representing the victims of violent crime, such as attacks on school grounds, for over 39 years. Our compassionate and dedicated team fights to obtain the best possible recovery for our clients as part of our commitment to being regarded as the top personal injury lawyers in Georgia.
The Atlanta personal injury law firm of Montlick and Associates is available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.