Paralyzed After Getting Shot in the Back...

by Paul
(San antonio,TX, USA)

In July 2010 my son was at a party along with 30+ kids. Towards the end of the night some guy started fighting with my son and his best friend. My son knocked the boy to the ground. Then, before my son could turn around to run, the young man pulled a .40 caliber handgun.

He shot my son's friend 4 times killing him instantly, and my son got hit 3 times, severing his spinal cord and puncturing his lung. Now my son is wheelchair bound for the rest of his life - he is about to turn 20 years old. Do we have any rights to sue the apartment complex/management or their security company? Thanks.

Disclaimer: Information provided in our response is NOT formal legal advice. It is generic legal information based on the very limited information you provided. Under no circumstances should the information in our response, or anywhere else on this site be relied upon when making decisions about your case. You should always get a formal case review from a licensed attorney.

ANSWER for "Paralyzed After Getting Shot in the Back...":

Paul (San Antonio, TX, USA):

Although you didn't mention whether the shootings took place on the apartment complex property, we will assume for the sake of this answer they did. There is a good chance the apartment complex has liability insurance.

There are some cases which can be pursued by individuals without the necessity of attorneys. There are others which require legal representation. Your son's case is one of those cases.

It is imperative you or your son's attorney either negotiate a settlement or file a lawsuit before the 2 year Statute of Limitations expires. The Statute of Limitations is the legal time period in which a person must either settle a case or file a lawsuit. Doing so "tolls" the Statute. To toll means to continue without interference or legal resolution.

Most personal injury attorneys will not charge any fee for an initial office consultation. Then, if you decide to retain the attorney, you or your son will not have to pay her until and unless the attorney either negotiates a settlement or wins the case at trial.

Since laws change frequently and across jurisdictions you should get a personalized case evaluation from an attorney licensed in your state (if you haven't already). Find an experienced local attorney to give you a FREE personalized case review here.


Best of luck,

Law Guy