Hundreds of Mass Shootings Each Year in the U.S.
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Mass shootings are occurring more often and may even be deadlier than in the past. In fact, four of the eight most deadly mass shootings have occurred in the last two years. Even worse, we’ve experienced 180 mass shootings in the first 173 days of 2018. These shootings resulted in the deaths of 245 and injured 648.
Just some of the mass shootings that occurred this year include:
- Benton, Kentucky – Marshall County High School – 2 killed, 14 injured on 23, 2018
- Parkland, Florida – Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School – 17 killed, 17 injured on 14, 2018
- Yountville, California – Yountville Veterans Home – 4 killed on 9, 2018
- Antioch, Tennessee – Waffle House – 4 killed, 3 injured on April 22, 2018
- Santa Fe, Texas – Santa Fe High School – 10 killed, 13 injured on May 18, 2018
- Trenton, New Jersey – “Art All Night” Arts Festival – 1 killed, 22 injured on June 17, 2018
The statistics for the last few years are just as bad:
- 2017 – 427 mass shootings resulting in 590 deaths and 1981 injured
- 2016 – 477 mass shootings resulting in 606 deaths and 1781 injured
- 2015 – 371 mass shootings resulting in 469 deaths and 1387 injured
These shootings often leave survivors with physical and mental injury, and nearly always, more questions than they can find answers for including if something more could have been done to prevent the shooting. We help victims get answers to their questions, and we help them get justice.
Victims Demand Answers
Shooting victims and their families are using the justice system to demand answers. In fact, about a week after the Santa Fe High School shooting, the families of victims filed a lawsuit that may increase the responsibilities and obligations of parents. The plaintiffs name the shooter’s parents in the lawsuit saying that even though the shooter fired the weapon, his parent’s fingers were pressed just as tightly as his on the trigger. The plaintiffs allege the shooter’s parents failed to instill in their child the value of human life and raise the question that if the weapons were not available to the shooter would he still have acted on his rage.
Dozens of survivors and victim’s families have filed a lawsuit against Orlando Police officers and the city of Orlando alleging that civil rights violations of Pulse patrons. The lawsuit alleges that police officers allowed patrons to be massacred while officers protected their own safety by not confronting the shooter immediately. The lawsuit also lists at least 30 police officers who allegedly rounded up uninjured victims and detained them at police headquarters as if they were criminals.
Another lawsuit was filed against a Florida security company that employed the shooter in the Pulse massacre. The lawsuit alleges that the company trained the man to use high-powered weapons and ignored complaints from co-workers that the man was angry, unhinged, and admired terrorist groups. The lawsuit also alleges the Pulse nightclub did not provide adequate security or enough exits for patrons who were trying to escape the gunfire.
The families of some of the victims of those who were killed by a mass shooter at a small church in Texas filed a lawsuit against the government. The complaint alleges that the military failed to enter a criminal conviction in a background check database that is referenced when someone wants to buy a gun. Failing to enter this allowed the shooter to buy the assault-style rifle used to kill dozens of people during church services.
After a shooter killed eight people in a home in Plano Texas, the victim’s families filed a lawsuit against a local bar. The lawsuit alleges the bartender continued to serve the shooter with alcohol after recognizing he was inebriated and violated Texas law by allowing the shooter to have weapons in the bar. The lawsuit says the bar owners made the decision not to call police when the shooter flaunted first his knife and then a gun while talking about the ‘dirty work’ he had to do, and continued to provide him with alcohol.
Two lawsuits filed on behalf of people killed or injured in the Cameo nightclub shooting in Ohio have been put on hold while the owner of the club goes through bankruptcy. One of the lawsuits claims that some people were allowed to pay to enter the club through a special entrance that bypassed security weapons checks and alleges that four off-duty police officers who were working security knew that some patrons were skirting security.
Victims have asked a federal appeals court to reinstate a lawsuit against Facebook, Twitter, and Google that seeks to hold them responsible for providing “material support” to the terrorist group Hamas. The lawsuit alleges the tech giant’s platforms allowed Hamas to spread propaganda that contributed to the radicalization of the shooter who killed five police officers in Dallas.
These lawsuits, and the countless more expected to be filed aim to determine the actions or lack of action of the parties involved and uncover if they could have done more to prevent the gunmen’s rampages.
Las Vegas Mass Shooting Update
Per court order, police have released numerous installments of surveillance video, 911 calls, body cam footage, and other investigation materials collected from the night of the Las Vegas massacre. The video includes footage of concertgoers running in panic from the gunfire, helping each other, and trying to protect the injured and the dead. Panicked voices can be heard on the 911 calls, some asking where they should go, others pleading for help, and still others who had calm voices as they described the scene, echoes of gunfire sounding in the distance.
Hundreds of victims and their families have filed lawsuits over the shooting. Some lawsuits have been filed against the shooter’s estate, while other’s name the festival organizers and operators of the hotel where the gunman opened fire, 32 floors above the crowd. The lawsuits want to know why the hotel didn’t do more to prevent the shooting and why concertgoers were fenced in leaving them nowhere to run as gunfire reigned down upon them.
A class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of all 22,000 ticket holders, seeking a full refund on their money, and the makers of the bump stock device the shooter used on his weapon has filed a federal lawsuit against Merrick Bank. The lawsuit, filed by Slide Fire, alleges the financial institution is holding more than a million dollars from the company because of the Las Vegas massacre. A class action was filed on behalf of victims against Slide Fire alleging negligence. The company’s website has since been closed, and they no longer are taking orders.
You May Be Entitled to Damages
Many of the survivors and families of those who were killed in mass shootings have filed lawsuits against the parties who possibly could have done more to protect the victims. These lawsuits are seeking justice and damages for the victim’s injuries and losses.
No amount of money will heal your scars or bring a loved one back, but it can help cover expenses while you grieve and heal. If you or someone you love was harmed in a mass shooting, you may incur expenses and costs that you would not have incurred if the shooting had not occurred. You may be awarded damages to compensate you for these expenses, your injuries, and your pain. Damages may include:
- Anguish and suffering
- Funeral expenses
- Hospital bills
- Lost wages and missed earnings
- Medical expenses
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation expenses
- Wrongful death
We Can Help
Unfortunately, our country is in a crisis, and thousands of victims have died or sustained serious emotional, physical, and mental injuries. More needs to be done to protect citizens and students but holding persons and parties accountable for their actions, or lack of action is a start. You see, any person who suffered injury and the families of victims who lost their lives in mass shootings have rights by law, including the right to seek justice and enact change.
Victims and survivors have the power to hold negligent entities responsible for their injuries and losses. We have the passion, skills, and experience to help you. For decades we have fought for the rights of those harmed due to no fault of their own, and we stand ready to fight for you now. Contact us today to learn more about your rights and whether you are entitled to seek the justice and compensation you need and deserve.
