In 2013, a Cobb County jury awarded Joshua Martin $35 million in the state’s largest verdict of that year. Martin was attacked in 2007 by a gang while he waited for a bus outside the entrance of Six Flags Over Georgia and alleged negligent security. Now, lawyers have met at the Georgia Court of Appeals, hoping to persuade an appellate panel to toss the verdict.
Six Flags contends the verdict must be tossed because the incident happened too far away from its property and wasn’t something the theme park could have foreseen. The park’s attorney argues the verdict goes against the principles of premises liability law.
The original lawsuit by Martin accused Six Flags and four employees of being responsible for the attack. The four employees, who were convicted of crimes from the attack, are responsible for paying 2 percent each of the total awarded amount, leaving Six Flags to pay the remaining $32.2 million.
The theme park is located in an area known for high crime and gang activity. That day inside the park, the group of attackers had been harassing a couple families in the park but security did not make them leave. The group then followed Martin outside the park to the bus stop where he was jumped. One attacker beat Martin with brass knuckles. Martin was beaten so badly that he went into a coma and ended up with permanent brain damage.
Property owners can be held accountable for accidents that happen on their property. At The McArthur Law Firm, we make them pay. Our lawyers are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive organization of trial lawyers who have recovered millions in premises liability and other types of claims.
To schedule a free initial consultation and take action against a negligent property owner, call us toll- free at 478-238-6600 (Macon, GA) or 404-565-1621 (Atlanta, GA), or contact us online.
