Rhode Island Child Sexual Abuse Window
From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, eligible survivors may be able to file previously expired claims against institutions that enabled or concealed abuse. Contact Andreozzi + Foote for a free, confidential consultation.
ANDREOZZI + FOOTE
Helping Victims of Violent Crime Hold Negligent Organizations Accountable
Reviewed by:
Benjamin D. Andreozzi, Esq.
Many survivors of violent crimes and their families are familiar with the criminal justice system, but do not realize they may also seek accountability through the civil justice system from those parties that contributed to the harm. While a criminal case focuses on punishing the person who committed the crime, a civil lawsuit seeks to hold negligent institutions and organizations liable for enabling the crime.
At Andreozzi + Foote, our violent crime civil lawyers are here to help you pursue justice and compensation to address the lasting impacts of a violent crime.
“When a violent crime occurs, the person who committed it should be held accountable—but they are not always the only one responsible. Too often, organizations ignore warning signs, fail to provide adequate security, or put profits ahead of people’s safety. Our job is to uncover those failures, demand accountability, and help survivors move forward with the resources they need to rebuild their lives.”
The criminal justice system provides some redress for a violent crime by imposing criminal penalties such as jail time and fines on the offender. However, beyond limited restitution, criminal cases don’t really compensate victims for their losses. They also typically do not address the role of businesses, property owners, employers, or other organizations whose negligence may have contributed to the harm.
Civil lawsuits allow victims and families to pursue accountability and compensation from parties that have failed to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable violent crimes.
Because criminal and civil cases are separate legal processes, a survivor may pursue a civil claim whether or not criminal charges are filed. The civil claim may continue even if criminal charges are dismissed, the accused is acquitted, or while the criminal case is ongoing.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent crime victims nationwide and bring more than 50 years of combined experience in handling complex, high-stakes cases. Our attorneys have the skill and dedication needed to take on challenging claims involving serious injuries and large institutions.
When you choose us, you can expect the following:
“A million thanks for all you have done for me through this long process. The work you do helps people heal, thus changing their lives forever. Finally, standing up for myself has given me my life back. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for helping me every step of the way!”
“Can’t say enough about the kindness and compassion of this law office. They helped me immensely with a difficult case, and the level of support they provided me was stellar.”
Our firm helps survivors and families hold negligent institutions accountable when their actions or failures contribute to violent crime. We represent clients in a wide range of civil cases, including those involving:
The list above is not exhaustive. If you or a loved one experienced another type of violent crime, our firm may still be able to help. We encourage you to contact our team for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case and whether a civil claim may be available.
Violent crimes can occur in both public and private settings. Common settings where preventable safety failures may contribute to violent crimes include the following:
A violent crime alone does not make an organization legally responsible. Liability often depends on whether the organization owed a duty to the victim and failed to act despite knowing, or having reason to know, about a foreseeable risk of violence. When reasonable precautions are not taken, those failures may contribute to preventable harm.
Examples of negligence include:
After a violent crime, dealing with a legal claim can add stress during an already difficult time. A violent crimes civil lawyer offers relief by handling the work involved in building your case and protecting your ability to pursue compensation.
Our lawyers can do the following for you:
Past clients have provided testimonials describing their experiences with our firm and the support they received throughout their cases.
Compensation in a civil lawsuit can help survivors and families manage the financial burdens and long-term effects that often follow a violent crime.
Compensation may include:
The compensation available in each case depends on the specific facts and the full impact of the harm. Factors such as the severity of injuries, the cost of recovery, the effect on a person’s ability to work, and the lasting changes caused by the crime may influence the damages a survivor or family may seek.
Yes. A criminal arrest does not prevent you from filing a civil lawsuit because these are separate legal processes. While the criminal case focuses on the person accused of the crime, a civil lawsuit can hold negligent third parties liable for failing to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm.
Yes. Criminal charges are not required before you can pursue a civil claim. If an organization’s negligence helped create the conditions that allowed a violent crime to occur, you may have legal options to seek accountability and compensation through the civil justice system.
Yes. A business may be liable if its negligent actions or failures created conditions that contributed to a violent crime. This can include failing to address recurring safety concerns, ignoring known risks, or failing to provide reasonable security.
Every state sets its own deadlines for filing civil lawsuits, and those deadlines can vary based on the circumstances of the case. Missing the filing deadline may mean losing your right to seek accountability through the civil justice system. Consulting an attorney early can help protect your right to pursue a claim before the filing period expires.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of any settlement or verdict we obtain.
If you believe an organization’s actions or failures contributed to a violent crime, Andreozzi + Foote can help you understand your legal options. Our firm represents survivors and families in civil claims against businesses, property owners, employers, and others whose negligence contributed to the harm they’ve experienced.
Let our violent crimes lawyers help you seek accountability and the compensation you need to move forward. We take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there’s no cost to you unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us online or call (866) 311-8640 today for a free, in-depth consultation and take the first step toward justice.
