Being the victim of an assault is one of the most traumatic moments that a person could experience. This experience can be even more disheartening when it occurs at a bustling area of the city like where the University of Pennsylvania’s campus is located. Many would expect that UPenn and other property owners in the area would implement security measures to deter crime. However, that may not always be the case. If you or a family member was the victim of an assault at UPenn’s campus, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer for assault victims.
The Reiff Law Firm is prepared to help you file a claim against the negligent party that may have contributed to your assault case. We understand how being the victim of an assault can change a person’s perspective on life and we are here for you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940, or contact us online.
Common Injuries Caused by an Assault
Assault is a serious crime in the State of Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, the crime of assault is divided into two categories: simple assault and aggravated assault. A simple assault is when a victim is threatened with bodily harm or suffers bodily harm. For example, if a person makes you believe that they are about to attack you but never carry out the attack, this qualifies as an assault.
An aggravated assault is the same as a simple assault; only it typically involves the use of a deadly weapon or a victim suffering a severe injury. Pennsylvania treats aggravated assault as a serious crime that is often charged as a felony. This means if an offender is arrested and convicted of this crime, they can serve several years or even over a decade in prison.
It is important to note that a property owner will likely not be held liable for a simple assault that two parties voluntarily engaged in. For example, if two intoxicated students got into a fight on campus and decided to fist fight to resolve the issue, an injured party cannot later use this event to file a personal injury lawsuit against the University of Pennsylvania for injuries stemming from the fight.
A victim could suffer several types of injuries due to an assault. For example, many victims of assault can sustain black eyes and bruises. Other injuries that may occur due to an assault include:
- Broken bones
- Head or brain injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Gunshot wounds
- Muscle strains and sprains
To learn more about filing a lawsuit after an assault, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit After an Assault
When filing a personal injury lawsuit after an assault, you first need to determine who is responsible for your injuries. Premises liability is an area of law that addresses the obligations of a property owner in keeping their property free from dangerous conditions. For example, if a property owner fails to shovel snow on their property, they could be held liable if a person walks by and suffers a broken bone after slipping and falling on a patch of ice.
If you were assaulted on property owned by the University of Pennsylvania, there could be several reasons that you can use to support your claim. For example, if UPenn did not have security stationed near certain areas of the campus to deter crime, this may have contributed to the likelihood of being assaulted.
It is also important to note that if you need to file a personal injury lawsuit against UPenn, you should not delay in filing your case. In Pennsylvania, personal injury lawsuits, as well as other types of lawsuits, are subject to the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations determines how long a plaintiff has to file a claim against a defendant.
In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident. This means the countdown to file your claim will begin on the day you were assaulted. If you do not file your case within this two-year timeframe, you risk having the court bar your claim. However, there may be a way to delay your filing deadline under certain circumstances.
Work with Our Trusted Philadelphia Premises Liability Attorneys Today
If you were a student at UPenn and you were the victim of an assault, contact an experienced Philadelphia premises liability attorney today. The injury attorneys at The Reiff Law Firm possess decades of combined legal experience, and we will use that experience to represent you in your assault claim. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940, or contact us online.
