mass violence and shootings

Helping Families Seek Answers, Accountability, and Lasting Change

When a child is killed, injured, or traumatized in an act of mass violence, the legal system can feel overwhelming.

Families are suddenly confronted with criminal investigations, media attention, insurance issues, victim compensation programs, school responses, and difficult questions about what happened and why.

Many are told that the violence was simply the result of one bad actor.

Sometimes that is true.

Often, however, a deeper investigation reveals a more complicated story involving missed warning signs, institutional failures, inadequate safeguards, or systems that contributed to the tragedy.

Our role is to help families understand those systems, navigate the legal process, and pursue accountability where it is warranted.

Looking Beyond the Immediate Cause

Acts of mass violence do not occur in a vacuum.

Every case is different, but important questions often include:

• Were warning signs recognized and reported?
• Were appropriate interventions available?
• Did schools, property owners, or other institutions respond appropriately?
• Did social media platforms amplify harmful content?
• Were weapons sold or transferred responsibly?
• Did policies, practices, or business decisions contribute to foreseeable risks?
• Were opportunities to prevent the violence missed?

Meaningful accountability requires asking difficult questions, even when the answers are uncomfortable.

Supporting Families Through the Process

Families affected by mass violence frequently find themselves navigating multiple systems at once.

We help clients understand and pursue available options, which may include:

• Crime Victim Compensation claims
• Victim rights and victim advocacy processes
• Victim impact statements
• Civil investigations and litigation
• Public records requests
• Preservation of evidence
• Institutional accountability efforts

Every family approaches these decisions differently. Some seek financial recovery. Others seek information, transparency, policy reform, or public awareness. Many seek some combination of all four.

Investigating Systemic Causes

Our work often involves examining not only the actions of the perpetrator, but also the broader systems surrounding the event.

Depending on the circumstances, that may include investigating:

• School policies and procedures
• Property management and security practices
• Technology platforms and online activity
• Corporate decision-making
• Firearm sales and distribution practices
• Prior warnings, reports, or incidents
• Mental health and intervention systems

Understanding how these systems interacted is often critical to understanding how a tragedy occurred.

Building a Meaningful Legacy

One of the most remarkable things we have witnessed is the determination of many families to transform unimaginable loss into meaningful change.

Some families choose to advocate for safer schools. Others work to improve violence prevention efforts, support victims, strengthen community resources, or promote responsible institutional practices.

While no legal outcome can undo the harm that has occurred, legal action can sometimes help uncover facts, encourage reforms, and reduce the likelihood that another family will endure the same tragedy.

We consider it a privilege to assist families pursuing those goals.

Speak With Us

If your family has been affected by a school shooting, mass violence event, targeted attack, or other act of serious violence, we invite you to contact us.

We are available to discuss your circumstances, answer questions, and help you understand the options available to you and your family.