A stab injury can be one of the most dangerous and painful types of assault injuries. Depending on the location and the depth of the cut, it could be fatal. In addition, there is a risk of infection either from the knife or a side effect of one’s recovery. Mentally, many people have long lasting traumatic stress because of the attack.
Often, the victim of a stabbing has rights to seek and recover just and fair compensation. If you are stabbed in Georgia, here are some things that you should consider:
Get Treatment from a Medical Professional
The most important thing that you should do when you have been stabbed is to get treatment from a medical professional. Obviously, treatment after a stab wound is not just integral to your claim, but also to your health and life, too. You may need to contact 911 if the stab wound is severe and have an ambulance sent, or quickly make your way to the closest emergency room.
Once treatment is concluded, be sure to attend all follow up appointments and follow a prescribed treatment plan. You also need to keep all documentation of healthcare, including doctors’ reports, medical bills, prescriptions, and the like.
Report the Stabbing to the Police
You need to report the stabbing to the police the moment that you are physically able to do so, preferably in the minutes or hours follow its occurrence. If you do not file a report with the police, two things may happen: one, the person who stabbed you may get away with the crime, continuing to pose a danger to others; and two, you may be unable to pursue a civil case, as a police report provides a huge amount of evidence that is essential to your claim.
Record Details of the Stabbing Incident
It can be psychologically challenging to do so, but following a stabbing, you need to write down as much information about the stabbing that you can remember. This includes:
- The date, time, and location of the stabbing;
- Parties involves;
- Any witnesses to the stabbing;
- What you were doing before the stabbing took place;
- How the stabbing occurred;
- Whether there was any security in place (i.e. security cameras, motion sensor lighting, etc.); and
- Any other details you can recall.
In pursuing a claim for damages, these details will be essential. As you recover, you should also record details about the recovery process, such as the extent of your physical capabilities, any emotional anguish you are experiencing, etc.
Contact an Experienced Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer
Finally, you should contact an experienced Georgia personal injury lawyer to determine if you have a viable claim. The property owner or manager of the area where it happened may be liable for failing to provide adequate security.
The foregoing answer is not legal advice and is merely a general overview. You are advised to consult a lawyer to address your specific situation. Feel free to send comments or questions to: steve@aa-legal.com of Apolinsky & Associates, LLC, or call (404) 377-9191.
Image by Marcin Wichary
