Last Updated: July 22, 2026
Shootings are an unfortunate daily reality in Georgia. And sadly, a shooting victim who survives is often left with significant physical and emotional damages.
Negligent Security in Georgia — What Changed in 2025
- The law changed on April 21, 2025: Georgia’s SB 68 created an entirely new negligent security framework (O.C.G.A. §§ 51-3-50 to 51-3-57) that makes these claims harder to win for incidents after that date
- The new standard: property owners generally are not liable for third-party crimes unless there were prior similar incidents on or near the property, or a specific warning of the danger they failed to act on
- Two tracks: if you were hurt BEFORE April 21, 2025, the older, more victim-friendly law still applies to your claim, but Georgia’s 2-year deadline means those claims run out around April 2027, so do not wait
- Evidence wins these cases now: police reports, the property’s prior crime history, and any warnings the owner received matter more than ever, and they disappear fast
- Attacked on someone else’s property? free consultation, no fee unless we win: (205) 407-6009
What Georgia’s SB 68 Tort Reform Means for Your Case
On April 21, 2025, Governor Kemp signed Senate Bill 68, and negligent security law in Georgia split into two eras. The new statutes, O.C.G.A. §§ 51-3-50 through 51-3-57, replaced the older premises liability framework for these claims entirely, and they apply to any cause of action arising on or after that date.
Under the new framework, a property owner generally cannot be held liable for a third party’s criminal act unless the victim can show prior similar incidents on or near the property, or a particularized warning of imminent harm that the owner failed to act on. An owner who received such a warning and reported it to law enforcement has a complete defense. Juries are now required to apportion fault to the criminal who actually committed the act, which reduces what the property owner’s share can be. Single-family homes are exempt, and a person injured while committing a felony is generally barred from recovering, with an exception for victims of human trafficking.
What does that mean in practice? Evidence has become the whole case. The property’s crime history, 911 call records, incident reports, prior lawsuits, and any warnings the owner received are now the difference between a viable claim and a dismissed one, and that evidence disappears quickly. It also means timing matters enormously: if your attack happened before April 21, 2025, the older and more victim-friendly law still governs your claim, but Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations means most of those claims expire around April 2027.
One more honest note: these statutes are new and largely untested in Georgia’s appellate courts, and early decisions will shape how they are applied. That uncertainty cuts both ways, which is one more reason to have a lawyer evaluate your specific facts rather than assuming the new law bars your claim.
Additionally, shooting victims likely have substantial financial losses in the form of medical bills piling up as they miss work for their injuries.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or death due to gun violence, you may have a claim for damages.
The Atlanta, GA shooting victim attorneys at Fob James Law Firm are standing by and ready to help.
Contact our team today to discuss your case and see what we can do for you.
How Can A Georgia Shooting Victim Lawyer Help Me?
If you are a recent gunshot victim or have a family member that died as a result of the shooting, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the business where the shooting occured.
Owners of apartments and other establishments have a duty to keep their premises safe.
While no amount of money will bring a loved one back or heal your pain, we can help hold those responsible accountable and make sure you receive compensation that you deseve.
What Amount Can You Sue For In A Shooting Victim Case?
In Georgia, you can sue for any amount in your shooting victim claim. Compensatory damages are not capped. They are whatever a jury says they are.
Compensatory damages include:
- Pain and Suffering
- Loss of the Enjoyment of Life
- Mental Anguish
- Lost Wages
- Past and Future Medical Treatment
Also, you may be entitled to punitive damages, which are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from doing similar bad acts in the future.
Every case is different, so there is no average settlement in a shooting case. Speak with an experienced Georgia shooting victim attorney to learn more about what your case may be worth.
How Long Do I Have To File A Shooting Injury Case?
In most shooting injury cases, you typically have only two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit in Georgia.
If your loved one died in a shooting, the Georgia wrongful death statute of limitations generally allows you only two years from the date of the victim’s death to take legal action in a wrongful death claim.
Talking to an experienced shooting victim attorney in Georgia is the best way to help you determine the deadline for filing legal action in your case.
Contact A Shooting Victim Lawyer Near Me in Atlanta, Georgia
If you have questions about a shooting injury or want to discuss your case, contact our team today.
We offer free case reviews and are standing by and ready to discuss your case with you.
The Georgia personal injury lawyers at Fob James Law Firm have extensive experience helping victims, and we hope we can help you too.
Give us a call at 866-837-1010, or contact us on our website, to discuss your case and see what we can do for you.