A night on the town should be fun and filled with laughter and friendship. However, not every bar patron sees it this way. At any time, a fight can erupt, quickly turning a fun evening into a chaotic one. Alcohol is a common factor in these fights, and when it is consumed excessively, it can cause depression or convulsive rage. Responses to minor factors are more likely to be extreme, and victims of these responses may have a reason to visit Kahan Kerensky and Capossela LLP to hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Storrs CT.
Who is Responsible for a Victim’s Injuries?
When someone is injured in a barroom brawl, it can be difficult to determine liability. Answers depend largely on the event’s circumstances, as well as the bar employees’ and the owner’s response. In the sections below is a discussion of the premises liability doctrine, as well as a breakdown of the steps a plaintiff must take to build a claim against a bar owner.
Premises Liability
Bar patrons are considered invitees, who have the legal right to safety from injury and undue harm while on the premises which includes, the bar, its parking lot, alleys and other property. However, patrons’ right to freedom from injury is not absolute, and owners are not responsible for all injuries. Under the premises liability doctrine, a bar owner must take reasonable steps to protect patrons. The circumstances of the injury must be foreseeable to a prudent person in a similar situation.
The Legal Duties of Bar Owners
Because of the doctrine of premises liability, bar owners must decide how much security the need to reduce the likelihood of a fight. The more common these fights are, the more security the bar needs. However, security staff is known to be excessively forceful in stopping fights, which can cause injuries to participants and bystanders. Bar owners should be aware of this, and they have the duty to properly deal with fights to prevent patron injuries.
Proving an Injury Claim After a Bar Fight
If a person is hurt in a bar fight, either as a participant or a bystander, they must prove certain elements to win a personal injury claim. A Personal Injury Lawyer in Storrs CT can help a client gather the evidence needed to meet the burden of proof, and they can help a victim recover for their economic losses.
