Assaults at nightclubs, bars and other establishments that serve alcohol are on the increase in Florida. Every year, hundreds of individuals become severely injured or even die as a result of a physical assault by an intoxicated patron, employee or security personnel inside a nightclub.
These assault-related injuries include bruises, cuts, bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, head and eye injuries, to name a few.
Can you sue a Florida nightclub or bar owner for an assault that occurred in their establishment? The answer is yes — depending on the circumstances. Under Florida’s premises liability, nightclub or bar owners may be held liable if they are negligent in protecting their customers from assault and other dangers.
Florida’s Premises Liability Laws
In Florida, property and business owners owe their guests and visitors a certain level of care when it comes to protecting them from any hazardous conditions on their property. When they fail to do so and a visitor or guest becomes injured as a result, the injured party can seek compensation for their damages through filing a premises liability claim with the property owner’s insurance company.
However, to collect compensation for these injuries, you’ll have to be able to show that:
- You were a customer at the nightclub.
- The owner had a duty to protect you while you were a customer in their nightclub.
- The owner or an employee was negligent in protecting you from assault.
- You suffered injuries as a result of this negligence.
- Your injuries resulted in damages.
Collecting Damages for Assault at a Florida Nightclub
Proving your nightclub assault claim can be difficult. If you’ve been injured as a result of an assault in a nightclub or bar, you need to take steps to protect your rights:
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Contact local police
- Preserve any evidence you have
- Hire a personal injury attorney to represent your case
An experienced premises liability attorney can help you gather the evidence you’ll need to establish your claim and negotiate a fair settlement with the nightclub owner’s insurance company.
In addition to assault, nightclub owners may be liable for a patron’s injuries in accidents caused by:
- Slip and fall hazards
- Failure to comply with local building, food, or fire codes
- Poor lighting
- Over-capacity crowds
- Faulty stairs or handrails
Get the Compensation You Deserve After Being Assaulted in a Florida Nightclub
If you’ve been injured as a result of an assault that happened at a bar or nightclub in Florida, it’s important to take steps to protect your rights. Get medical treatment, report the crime to local law enforcement, and then call Florida premises liability lawyer Tania Rivas.
Tania Rivas has the expertise and resources to thoroughly investigate a premises liability claim for assault. She has helped clients in Winter Haven, Lutz, Lakeland, Haines City, Davenport, Polk City, Mulberry, and other Central Florida communities who have been injured due to the negligence of a bar or nightclub owner.
Call Rivas Law Group at 877-299-5539 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case. Tania will listen to your story, answer any legal questions you may have, and provide helpful, professional advice on the best way to move forward with your premises liability claim for assault. Most personal injury cases are handled on a contingency basis, which means there are no upfront costs if Tania decides to represent your case and you only pay a fee after Tania has won compensation on your behalf.
