Philadelphia Injury Attorney Blog

When a condominium or apartment complex falls into disrepair, lacking improper security measures such as door locks, light fixtures, and a security system, a likely scenario can be presented for a criminal assault and/or killing. This event often gives rise to civil monetary damages if a lawsuit is filed by a victim or estate of a victim.

In Pennsylvania, as well as many other states, the law recognizes that the safety and privacy of condominium and apartment dwellers should be the top priority for all owners and operators. However as experience reveals, many times this is simply not the case. Unfortunately, throughout my 30 year career of practicing premise liability and inadequate security law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as co-counseling on other cases throughout the United States, we have investigated and litigated claims with tragic consequences that were easily avoidable.

Recently a case was resolved in Florida when a condominium owner who was walking to his car one day, was shot and killed, leaving two sons behind. A lawsuit was filed on behalf of the victim’s estate alleging inadequate security and also claiming that the property owner had hired an incompetent property manager with a criminal background who was unqualified to perform his duties.

In another case handled by our office, a young woman walking to her car at an apartment complex was sexually assaulted by a third party in a poorly lit parking lot area, and we were successful in recovering a substantial monetary result. Today more than ever technology is an important part of meeting security requirements, and inadequate security at a hotel, motel, condominium, or apartment house can result in the property owner’s liability to the crime victim for negligence.

For over 30 years, the experienced inadequate security and premise liability lawyers of Reiff and Bily have worked carefully with law enforcement officials and skilled investigators to analyze the circumstances of a personal injury resulting from inadequate security. We have examined past instances of victim abuse at the location and surrounding areas that should have put the property owner on actual and constructive notice that the facility was potentially dangerous to customers, visitors, or inhabitants. The inadequate security and hotel and apartment attack lawyers of Reiff and Bily are committed to protecting the rights of injured victims and consumers since 1979 and always offer a free, no obligation consultation. Contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

The Mississippi Supreme Court upheld a $4 million dollar jury award for a couple robbed and injured in 2008 at a Jackson, Mississippi extended stay motel. During an attack at the hotel, the victims sustained facial damage and a permanent eye injury, as well as post traumatic stress disorder after hearing the assailants talk about a rape during the physical attack. Although the victim was not raped and the three assailants were never captured, the verdict insures that the motel guests will now have necessary money for medical care. Additionally as a result of the verdict, a significant message was sent to the motel who subsequently upgraded motel security making it a safer place for customers and employees.

As an experienced Pennsylvania hotel attack, and negligent security lawyer, it is important that hotel owners and operators be held accountable when they fail to protect their customers from crime and attacks. While many of us read bold advertisements boasting about new and special beds or renovated rooms, it is essential for hotel and motel operators to insure the safety and privacy of motel guests as a top priority. As experienced hotel attack and negligent security lawyers, we are very well aware that this is not always the case. In the instant case, the facts reveal that the hotel operator had ignored the safety of its employees and customers. Facts were alleged stating that the manager had been robbed four times at gun point in the six months leading up to the victims attack and the manager of the hotel was begging the corporate office for a security guard to protect the guests and employees of the hotel and he was turned down. The couple alleged in the lawsuit that the hotel operator knew or should have known that it had inadequate security and that strangers, trespassers, and loiters frequently came into the property.

Since 1979, the experienced premises liability and inadequate security and hotel attack lawyers of the Philadelphia personal injury law firm of Reiff & Bily have aggressively represented clients who have been injured on another’s premises. If you or a loved one has sustained a physical injury or robbery due to negligent security or hotel attack, it is best to contact an experienced hotel attack and negligent security lawyer to begin an immediate investigation into your case, as well as preserve evidence to properly prepare your case. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation. We are greedy for justice in protecting the rights of injured consumers since 1979. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Over the weekend, I had a chance to view an HBO documentary entitled “Hot Coffee". The documentary examined the dangers of so called “tort reform" and its threat to our civil justice system. As an experienced Pennsylvania catastrophic injury
and wrongful death attorney who has personally grieved with clients and witnessed some of the most unimaginable tragedies involving my clients over the last three decades, I feel that it is important that individuals understand that tort reform would block one’s ability to access our civil courts and take away their valuable legal rights.

“Hot Coffee" examines the roles of corporations, government, and complicit media in promoting tort reform and was a selection of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. The stories that are highlighted in the film are similar to many cases that any experienced catastrophic injury or wrongful death lawyer has handled over a long career. The title derives from the McDonald’s hot coffee case which shocked a number of people with a substantial verdict. The verdict was “spun" by many tort reformists and corporate entities into a tale of fright for a largely unknowing American populace. However what most people were not aware of was that McDonald’s acknowledged that there were 700 prior burns and the woman burned by the cup of coffee had quite devastating injuries and not merely a minor superficial burn as many were led to believe. “Hot Coffee" reveals how caps on medical malpractice awards affect those who sustain injuries and require medical care for the rest of their lives. The film also highlights a case regarding mandatory arbitration clauses in employment contracts and how that has prevented a Halliburton employee who was raped while in a bunker will all fellow male employees from obtaining justice after being raped.

Many are told that trial lawyers are greedy and in fact, I admit that yes I am greedy for justice and sick of the relentless attacks on our civil justice system by big business and the government who continue to emphasize profitability and shareholder return instead of safety. We must aggressively protect one of the greatest gifts of being an American, namely our civil justice system. It is imperative that many know the whole story so that the misconceptions that people have regarding tort reform can be properly addressed. I assure you that after watching the documentary “Hot Coffee" your mind will be changed and you will think differently.

According to a government report released in the first week of June, there have been nearly 300 alleged sexual assaults at the Department of Government Affairs medical facilities over the last three years through the end of 2010. Many of these allegations were not reported to higher ups by Virginia police as required by law. The Government Accountability Office reported that of the 284 alleged sexual assaults from January 2007 through July 2010 there were 65 classified as rape, 185 inappropriate touching, 8 forceful medical examinations, 13 forced oral sex, and 11 other types of non-classified sexual assaults. Many of the victims were employees, patients, visitors, and other outsiders not affiliated with the VA with both men and woman being victims but most alleged to be men. The VA Inspector General was not notified about 2/3 of the sexual cases involving rape allegations according to the study. The VA claims that it is reviewing the GAO's recommendations and taking steps for improvement. Obviously it goes without saying the reporting of sexual abuse allegations is essential in order to provide secure facilities for patients.

As an experienced sexual abuse lawyer who has investigated claims involving clergy sexual abuse, and physician sexual abuse, it is my opinion that the VA failed to properly protect patients and staff because it did not take allegations seriously enough to address them.

Unfortunately when individuals are vulnerable, defenseless, or in an inferior position to those with authority, they are often taken advantage of by people they put their trust in such as doctors, therapists, senior ranking employees, psychiatrists, and often times clergy. Victims of sexual assault not only have physical pain and suffering, but also the psychological pain of being violated and are left with emotional scars such as feelings of low self worth, low self esteem, denial, crying spells, paranoia, helplessness, loneliness, shame, anxiety, nightmares, insomnia, and flashbacks. Post-traumatic stress disorder and numbness, withdrawal, depression, and fear of relationships, and promiscuity are also common symptoms. Many times victims of sexual abuse turn to drugs or alcohol to help them dull the pain that constantly haunts and torments them.

Continue reading "Sexual Abuse Attorney Questions Why Sexual Assaults At VA Medical Facilities Were Not Reported" »

A 7-year girl was gang raped at a crime-ridden apartment building in Trenton, New Jersey after her stepsister sold her to a group of men at a party according to news sources. The incident occurred at Rowan Towers owned by Interstate Realty and Management Company. According to news sources, there have been many lapses of security at this apartment building despite complaints by tenants requesting cameras and a lot of other things to improve their security and safety concerns. A spokesperson for the owner stated that they lack the expertise to handle security on their own and will hire an outside consultant. The apartment complex sits on a stretch of West State Street near downtown Trenton surrounded by blocks of abandoned and boarded up homes, yet it is fronted by a well manicured lawn and features a colorful playground and basketball courts. Safety and privacy of tenants and residents should be and must be a top priority for owners and operators of apartment homes. As this case reveals, many times this is simply not the case. Many times accidents such as this occur at apartment complexes due to poor lighting, inadequate security, and lack of easily affordable technology and security devices such as closed circuit cameras. Because of such inadequate security, many unsuspecting guests or tenants are robbed, shot, killed, raped, stabbed, or assaulted.

Continue reading "Rape Of 7-Year Old At Apartment Building Spotlights Inadequate Security Issues" »

According to news sources, Philadelphia police made an arrest in the violent robbery of two tourist at the Philadelphia Marriott located at 12th and Market Streets. According to the news sources, police claimed that Anthony Thomas, 28, of West Philadelphia followed a 52-year old female guest from the elevator to her room shortly before 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 30th. Investigators claim that a knife was put to the throat of the hotel guest and she was robbed. Lt. Frank Vanore of the Philadelphia police stated “He drew knife, he cut the female across the mouth and face and proceeded to demand money from her and threatened to kill her during the course of the incident". Police also reported that on August 6th, Mr. Thomas forced his way into the room of a Marriott guest from Sacramento, California and robbed her at knife point. Police suspect that the assailant may be involved in a number of other recent robberies in center city Philadelphia.

Inadequate security lawyer, Jeffrey Reiff, of the Philadelphia inadequate security and premises liability law firm of Reiff & Bily has been successfully representing the rights of negligent security cases on behalf of victims of physical assaults or robberies since 1979. The safety and privacy of hotel and motel guests should be the top priority for owners and operators of hotels. However, many times we find this is simply not the case. Because of inadequate security at hotels and motels many unsuspecting guests are robbed, shot, killed, raped, stabbed or assaulted in parking lots, corridors, hallways, rooms or other common areas. Many times there is a breakdown in the property owners security system which cannot only encourage criminal activity but can also result in the property owner’s liability to the crime victim for negligence. First and foremost, our thoughts go out the victims and their families, we hope that these fine and unsuspecting individuals recover quickly and completely from their injuries.

Continue reading "Prominent Philadelphia Hotel Is the Scene Of Violent Assault and Robbery Of Tourists" »