Whoever said, “you can’t squeeze blood from a stone,” was quite correct. The idiom applies in many situations, including when a person suffers injury during an assault or other violent crime.
The individual who hurt you likely has few assets and cannot or will not pay for their crime through civil litigation. They may face criminal penalties, but what about personalized justice for you?
Third-party negligence
Sometimes, a violent crime can only occur because a property owner fails to address safety and security.
Say a store owner neglected to repair faulty lighting in their parking lot. As a result, a customer was assaulted, robbed and seriously injured in the darkness. If the lot had sufficient lighting, the perpetrator probably would not have had an opportunity to harm the victim. Because of their negligence, the store owner contributed to the victim’s injury.
Possible defendants that may have facilitated a violent crime through inadequate security include:
- Hotels
- Hospitals
- Shopping malls
- Childcare centers
- Colleges/universities
- Bars, clubs and restaurants
The government offers financial resources to violent crime victims but acknowledges that such compensation isn’t always sufficient to address their economic hardships.
Those with severe or disabling physical injuries typically require ongoing care and treatment on a long-term basis. The same is true if you suffer psychological harm from the attack, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or debilitating anxiety.
A civil claim fills the gap
Crime victim litigation can yield additional compensation, ensuring you have enough money to cover any medical and psychological care you need to speed your recovery. In addition to financial rewards, a civil claim empowers you to hold those responsible for their negligence to account. Your next step is learning about the civil remedies available to crime victims in Washington state.
