Las Vegas Shooting Victims

When someone becomes the victim of a shooting, the emotional, physical, and financial toll can be overwhelming. Although criminal charges may be brought against the shooter, it will not result in compensation. However, you have civil legal options to recover damages for your losses. 

Las Vegas Shooting Victims

Civil Lawsuits Against the Shooter

Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the shooter can hold the individual financially responsible for their actions, regardless of the outcome of any criminal prosecution. Meaning that even if the shooter is found not guilty in a criminal court, a victim may still be successful in a civil case because the standard of proof — a “preponderance of the evidence” — is lower than in criminal cases.

Through a personal injury lawsuit, you can seek compensation for the following and more:

However, collecting compensation directly from an individual shooter can be challenging, especially if they lack financial resources or insurance coverage.

Premises Liability Claims

If the shooting happened on another party’s property, such as a business, apartment complex, hotel, nightclub, or parking lot, you may file a premises liability claim. Property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe environments. This includes taking proper precautions if violent crime is foreseeable based on past incidents or known security risks. To succeed in a premises liability case, you must prove:

  • A dangerous condition (such as poor lighting, lack of security, or broken locks) existed.
  • The property owner knew or should have known about the risk.
  • The owner failed to fix the problem or warn visitors.
  • This failure contributed to the shooting and the victim’s injuries.

Negligent Security Claims

Negligent security claims are a subset of premises liability. They focus specifically on the property owner’s failure to provide adequate protection from foreseeable criminal acts. Shooting victims can argue that reasonable security measures — such as hiring trained security personnel, installing proper lighting, or maintaining security cameras — would have deterred the shooter or reduced the risk of injury.

Employer and Third-Party Liability

In some situations you can hold employers or other third parties responsible. For instance:

  • If a workplace shooting occurs, an employer may be liable for negligent hiring, supervision, or failure to provide adequate workplace security.
  • Event organizers who fail to provide sufficient security measures at concerts or public gatherings may also be held responsible.
  • In rare cases, firearm manufacturers or sellers may face liability claims, especially if illegal sales or defective products played a role.

Wrongful Death Claims

If a shooting results in death, surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit. These claims seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, emotional pain, and loss of companionship. Like personal injury claims, Las Vegas wrongful death lawsuits can target shooters, property owners, employers, or any responsible third party.

How an Attorney Can Help

Shooting cases are complex, involving criminal investigations, insurance issues, and detailed evidence gathering. An experienced Las Vegas Premises Liability Attorney can help you by:

  • Identifying all liable parties.
  • Collecting crucial evidence like surveillance footage, witness statements, and crime data.
  • Negotiating with insurance companies for fair settlements.
  • Filing lawsuits and representing you in court if necessary.
  • Advising on the best strategies for maximizing compensation.

To arrange a free consultation with Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers today, call (702) 935-6625 or message us online.

Premises Liability Resources