No one has the right to hurt or threaten you. While assault can lead to a criminal prosecution of the perpetrator, you could also qualify for damages with a civil lawsuit and receive awards for medical costs, wage loss, and more. A Belleville, IL assault injury lawyer at Bradley Law can help you fight back and recover the compensation you deserve.
Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that violent assaults can take on victims and families. We are here to help you through every step of the legal process and can advocate fiercely on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation to discover your next best steps after an assault in Belleville.
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Where do Assaults Occur in Belleville?
Assaults and attacks can arise on private and public property, including but not limited to:
- Convenience stores
- Apartment complexes
- Hotels
- Shopping malls
- Restaurants and bars
- Parking garages and parking lots
- School and University campuses
If you are affected by an assault or battery in Belleville, don’t suffer in silence. You may be entitled to compensation, and Bradley Law is here to help you understand your rights. We can assess the incident, file a lawsuit on your behalf, and help you navigate the legal process from start to finish.
How a Belleville, IL Assault Injury Lawyer Can Help
Even if the person committing the assault is caught and charged with a crime, you won’t automatically receive compensation. Moreover, if you win a lawsuit, your attacker may lack the financial resources to compensate you adequately. In other words, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the money you deserve.
This is why having an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side can be critical. Bradley Law can determine whether you could hold other parties liable, such as a property owner, sporting event organizer, or others who failed to keep you safe. Here’s how we could maximize your settlement:
- Discuss your legal rights and options with you
- Identify all parties that owe you compensation
- Properly value your case to account for your present and future expected damages
- Negotiate with insurance companies to obtain a fair settlement
- Build a strong case and represent you powerfully in court
Cases We Handle
Our Belleville, IL assault injury lawyers can handle all assault and battery cases. We represent clients who were injured due to the following and other incidents:
- Restaurant and bar fights
- Assaults involving firearms or other weapons
- Domestic violence
- Violent robberies
- Sexual assaults
- Police brutality
Negligent Security in Assault Injury Claims
Negligent security could allow you to hold a property owner and not just the perpetrator accountable for your damages. Property owners or operators, such as shopping mall managers or restaurant owners must make their properties reasonably safe for visitors.
Negligent security occurs when a property owner or manager fails to provide adequate security measures to prevent harm to visitors or tenants. Required security measures depend on the type of establishment but can include adequate lighting, security cameras, and safe locks. Here’s when you could qualify for a negligent security claim:
- Duty of Care: Property owners and managers must implement and maintain security measures to prevent criminal activities like assaults, robberies, or other violent acts. If they fail to do so and you come to harm, you could qualify for damages.
- Foreseeability: If a property owner knew or should have known about the risk of criminal activity on their premises but did nothing, they could be liable. For example, previous assaults or violent robberies in the area could be evidence of foreseeable risk.
- Breach of Duty: To establish negligent security, you must show that the property owner breached their duty of care. Failing to fix defective lighting, broken security cameras, or malfunctioning locks could constitute a breach of duty.
- Causation and Damages: To have a claim, you must prove that the property owner’s negligence directly caused your injuries and damages. If proper security measures had prevented or mitigated the assault, the property owner could be responsible for your medical expenses and other damages.
Negligent security provides you with the possibility to hold a property owner or lessee accountable for your damages. Such entities are more likely than the perpetrator to have the means of providing you with an adequate settlement, as they likely have insurance policies in place.
Common Injuries in Assaults and Attacks in Belleville
Injuries from assaults and attacks can be obvious, such as stab wounds, fractures, and bruising. However, some injuries are invisible and yet can have a devastating effect on your life. A report published by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) shows that 68% of violent crime victims face socio-emotional problems, such as emotional distress, reduced performance at school or work, and difficulties with relationships.
Physical injuries in assaults can range from minor to severe and can include:
- Brain injuries
- Black eyes and bruising
- Facial and dental injuries
- Internal injuries
- Broken bones
- Bullet or stab wounds
However, emotional injuries, such as depression, insomnia, and anxiety, can persist long after the physical injuries have healed. If someone else caused your physical and emotional injuries, a Belleville, IL assault injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you need to put this upsetting time behind you.
Compensation You Could Receive After an Assault
If you were hurt in an assault or attack in Belleville, the responsible party or parties should pay for your damages. While compensation can vary, a Belleville, IL assault injury lawyer could help you pursue various economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Future healthcare needs
- Counseling
- Rehabilitation
- Loss of wages and future expected income
- Property damage
- Pain and anguish
- Permanent disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
During the most challenging time in your life, you can count on Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers. We leave no stone unturned to help assault victims recover maximum potential compensation.
FAQs – Ask a Belleville, IL Assault Injury Lawyer
Who could I sue for an assault injury in Belleville?
You might think the perpetrator of the assault would be the logical party to go after. However, if a property owner did not make their property safe, allowing an assault to take place, they could also be on the hook for your damages. Under the legal principle of negligent security, victims of assaults and battery in Belleville could hold various parties liable, including but not limited to:
- Security firms
- Hotel or restaurant owners
- Homeowners’ associations
- Shopping mall owners and operators
- Property management companies
A Belleville, IL assault injury lawyer can analyze your incident, identify the responsible party or parties, and seek compensation.
How long do I have to file an assault injury lawsuit in Illinois?
According to the Illinois Statute of Limitations, you generally have two years from the date of the assault to file a personal injury lawsuit. Filing too late could result in losing the right to damages. However, there can be exceptions to the statute that may shorten or lengthen the time you have available to file legal action.
For example, if you have a negligent security claim against a government body, you typically only have one year to file a claim. Since the timing of your lawsuit can be essential for recovering compensation, consult a Belleville, IL assault lawyer as soon as possible after the incident to protect your rights.
Can I sue for assault even if the perpetrator was charged criminally?
Yes, you can pursue a civil lawsuit for assault even if criminal charges have been filed against the perpetrator. Criminal and civil cases are separate proceedings. In criminal cases, the state or country seeks punishment for the perpetrator. On the other hand, a civil personal injury lawsuit aims to compensate the victim for their injuries and financial losses.
Do I have a legal case if my loved one died in an assault?
If your loved one died due to a violent assault in Belleville, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit and pursue damages. To have a case, you’d have to show that the defendant who caused your loved one’s death acted negligently or wrongfully. This could involve physical violence, inadequate security measures, or other types of misconduct.
Damages you could recover with a wrongful death lawsuit include funeral and burial costs, loss of income from the deceased, medical expenses before death, and more. Consider working with a Belleville, IL assault injury lawyer to give you the best chance of prevailing and recovering damages.
Bradley Law Wants You to Win
We understand the emotional trauma and pain victims can face, which can be life-altering. Moreover, the financial losses you and your family experience from medical bills, work absences, and other assault-related costs can be crushing. However, you’re not alone. Our Belleville, IL assault injury lawyers want to help you get justice.
We have recovered six-, seven-, and even eight-figure results for injured individuals. Our tenacious trial lawyers don’t back down and can take your case all the way to trial if necessary. Don’t wait to get help, as the time to file a claim is limited. Contact us now for a free case review to discuss your options.
