You were sitting at a bar in Miami Dade, quietly drinking and minding your own business. All of a sudden out of nowhere, another patron throws a punch at you and a bar fight quickly ensues. Now that the fight is over and you are sitting in the emergency room with a few head lacerations, you may have one major question on your mind – how am I going to pay for this emergency room bill if I do not know who the people are that injured me?
It is unfortunate if you do not know who the person was that started the fight, especially if it was a situation in which you were not a willing participant. According to Nightclub and Bar, you may be able to file a negligence claim against the bar owner for damages if they:
- Did not intervene within a reasonable amount of time.
- Failed to protect patrons from foreseeable risks.
- Continued to serve alcohol to guests who were clearly intoxicated or made threats to others.
Owners must provide a higher level of protection to their patrons if their establishment is located in an area where there is a high level of crime, such as assault and battery, and their establishment has a reputation for having rowdy and unruly customers.
Every situation surrounding bar fights, and assault and battery in nightclubs is different. Even if the circumstances surrounding your injuries involved any of the factors mentioned above, it does not necessarily mean you will automatically be awarded a settlement. This information is only intended as educational material and should not be used as legal advice.