Can I File a Premises Liability Claim If I Was Attacked in a Bar, Club, or Restaurant?

 Posted on October 19, 2021 in Premises Liability

For many people, going out to eat or visiting the local bar are some of the best ways to unwind after a stressful workday. Unfortunately, what should be a fun, relaxing evening can turn into a nightmare in an instant. If you or a loved one were the victim of assault, battery, or robbery, at a commercial establishment, you know just how quickly physical violence can escalate.

Often, physical attacks at businesses like bars and restaurants are caused or contributed to by inadequate security measures. Because businesses owe a legal duty of care to customers, these businesses may be held accountable through a premises liability claim.

Seeking Justice and Compensation Through the Civil Court System

When someone injures another person in a bar, nightclub, restaurant, or another type of business, they may be subject to criminal penalties. Criminal penalties like fines and jail time may punish the wrongdoer and deter further criminal activity. However, they do nothing to compensate the victim for his or her injuries. Acts of physical violence can lead to severe injuries – both physical and psychological. An attack victim may need extensive medical treatment, including ongoing medical care like counseling or physical therapy. Medical bills and other costs resulting from the attack can quickly add up. A premises liability claim is a civil claim that may help an attack victim recover financial compensation for medical expenses and other damages.

What Constitutes Negligent Security?

One of the most complicated aspects of a negligent security claim is that what constitutes “negligent security” can vary from case to case. The foreseeability of the crime is usually a considerable factor. For example, if three patrons have already been mugged in a restaurant parking lot and the restaurant owner did nothing to improve security, the owner may be liable for a subsequent mugging.

Some examples of situations that may constitute negligent security include:

• Poor lighting in a dark stairwell or parking lot

• Inadequate security cameras in a nightclub

• Negligent security guards who did not stop a preventable crime

• Overcrowding in a bar known for bar fights

• Failure to respond appropriately to a patron’s threat of violence

• Non-functioning alarm systems

• Broken locks, gates, or fences

Contact a Joliet Negligent Security Lawyer

If you or a loved one were harmed in a physical attack at a commercial establishment, you may be entitled to monetary damages for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. Contact Michael J. Lichner - Will County Personal Injury Lawyer to discuss your case and explore your legal options. Call 815-730-1977 today.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2048&ChapterID=57