Can mass shooting victims and families sue?
In many cases, yes. While the shooter bears criminal responsibility, survivors and grieving families can often pursue civil claims against the parties whose negligence helped make the attack possible — most commonly the venue or property owner who failed to provide reasonable security, and sometimes others whose failures contributed.
These are among the most complex and emotionally difficult cases in the law. They demand a firm with genuine mass-casualty experience and the resources to take on well-funded defendants.
Who can be held responsible after a mass shooting?
Liability depends on the facts, but potentially responsible parties can include:
- The venue or property owner that failed to provide reasonable security at a foreseeable target
- The security company hired to protect the event or location
- Other parties whose specific negligence contributed to the harm
When is a venue or property owner liable?
As with any negligent-security case, the question is whether the harm was foreseeable and whether reasonable security measures were in place. Large gatherings, schools, workplaces, and entertainment venues can carry known risks that require planning, access control, trained personnel, and emergency response. When those safeguards are absent or ignored, the responsible parties can be held accountable.
What can survivors and families recover?
Compensation can include medical care for catastrophic injuries, long-term rehabilitation, lost income, and the profound physical and psychological trauma these events leave behind. For families who lost a loved one, a wrongful-death claim can seek recovery for their devastating loss. Beyond money, these cases can force changes that make venues safer.
Why this firm
Attorney Michael A. Haggard represented families of the Parkland school shooting and has testified before Congress on victim safety. He is a past president of the National Crime Victim Bar Association and the only plaintiff’s lawyer in U.S. history to win three separate $100 million verdicts. The firm brings that experience and resources to mass-shooting survivors and families nationwide, with no fee unless we win.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue if I survived a mass shooting but the shooter is dead or imprisoned?
Yes. Civil claims in these cases are typically brought against the venue, property owner, or security company whose negligence helped enable the attack — not the shooter. The shooter's status does not prevent a civil case against those parties.
Who pays in a mass-shooting civil case?
Recovery usually comes from the insurance coverage of the negligent venue, property owner, or security company. We investigate every responsible party and source of coverage.
How long do families have to file?
Deadlines vary by state and can be complex in mass-casualty cases. Because evidence and legal deadlines move quickly, it's important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
What does it cost to hire the firm?
Nothing up front. These cases are handled on a contingency fee — you pay no attorney's fees unless we recover compensation.
Do you handle mass-shooting cases outside Florida?
Yes. The Haggard Law Firm represents survivors and families nationwide.