Bars and Restaurants Duty to Keep Patron’s Safe
After a long, hard week, you and your friends head out to a nightclub planning to enjoy some music and have a bit of fun. It is something that thousands of people do across the country every day. Yet, when you head out for this type of event, you expect that you’ll be in a safe place, an area where you and your friends can just relax. Then, shots ring out. How did this happen?
This is exactly what happened at a nightclub in Little Rock, Arkansas. That day, many people headed out to the Power Ultra Lounge, a nightclub, to enjoy the Finese 2 Tymes concert. Little did they know that before the concert could end, shots would ring out leaving 28 people with injuries and battling for their life. In this type of situation, there is no doubt that the blame goes to the shooter. However, is there a level of blame for the bar or nightclub that failed to provide the necessary protections to patrons?
Are you a victim in this event? Have you suffered a loss due to a nightclub, bar, or other facility’s negligence? Do you want to sue a restaurant for negligence? Do not settle until you receive a full, free consultation with the Law Office of Alan Levar. Our Little Rock personal injury attorneys are available to you at 501-588-0082.
Are Bar and Restaurant Owners Liable for Your Losses?
Arkansas liability laws are by far some of the most overwhelming for someone with limited legal experience. Most people – whether patrons or property owners – don’t realize that there is liability attached to the property or business owner if patrons are hurt on their premises by third parties. A simplistic example occurs when a customer spills a drink. If the management knows about the risk and fails to warn or clean it up, they are liable for your slip and fall injuries.
But, in more complicated legal matters such as shootings, does the same premise hold true?
Perception of Risk
The key here is to determine if the nightclub could have perceived there was a level of risk present for the patrons. While this is a legally pending case without a specific determination of negligence, and we cannot state if any negligence occurred, we can speak about the risks present.
For example, this is not the first shooting to occur in the area of the nightclub or in the region itself. Local news organizations have reported that numerous drive-by shootings occurred in the area recently – in fact in days just prior to these events.
In this case, again, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Enforcement agency in Arkansas revoked the liquor license for the facility. More so, it was also evident that the property was zoned as a restaurant, and not a nightclub or an event space. The city’s manager asked that the city shut down the venue.
Determining Negligence Is Complex
Again, we cannot state for certain if this specific location was guilty of negligence. What we can do is to discuss your rights as a patron. Arkansas law states that you do have the right to a safe environment and that the property owner or business owner is responsible for providing that. If there is a perceived level of risk involved, it is the requirement of the law that the individual managing the location or representing the business take action to reduce the risk or at least warn patrons of it.
Negligent security is one of the most commonly missed components here. The obligation to provide a safe environment extends beyond just making sure that the structure of the property is maintained. The owners are required to ensure there is sufficient security present as well. When considering any case of premises liability or applying for a negligence claim in Arkansas, we need to consider questions like these:
- Did the facility realize the level of risk involved in the area?
- Did the facility provide any level of security personnel to ward off these risks?
- Did it provide proper lighting within the environment to give individuals and the ability to protect themselves or notice risks?
Every situation is very different. And, yet, many people don’t recognize that they should take action.
What You Should Do Right Now
If you were involved in this situation or another type of premises liability case, your first step is to contact an attorney. Discuss your case fully with the legal team at our office to find out if you have the ability to pursue those responsible for your losses. At the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we believe in protecting your right to a safe place to enjoy time with family and friends.
Schedule a Conversation with Our Attorney to Learn About Your Case
Whether you are the victim of this event or a similar event in which you suffered an injury or other types of loss as a result of the negligence of another company or person, we can help you. We recommend never signing settlements with insurers until you’ve had a free consultation with our legal team. Most importantly, don’t delay. Give our team a call at 501-588-0082. The Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers are available to help you.
