What Should I Do If I Was Attacked at a Bar in Florida?
Whether you are clubbing with your friends or getting a drink during happy hour, you expect to be safe at a bar or nightclub. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.
So, what should you do if you get attacked at a bar in Florida? If you or a loved one were assaulted at a bar, contact the Florida Crime Victim Lawyers at SteinLaw.
What Should I Do if I Was Assaulted at a Bar in Florida?
The order in which you tackle these steps may vary depending on the severity of your injuries. While it may seem easier to get witness information before you leave the bar, you should seek medical attention first for severe injuries.
1. Get Medical Attention
Even if your injuries seem minor at first, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to get everything documented. You’ll have a much harder time suing for damages if you treat your injuries yourself or wait several days to get medical care. Going to the doctor right away provides a record that may be at least as valuable as treating your injuries.
2. Tell the Bar’s Management What Happened
Quickly filing an incident report with the bar’s management helps strengthen your case if you choose to sue the establishment. A jury or insurance company may find it suspicious if you wait too long to report the attack.
3. Get the Names and Contact Numbers of Witnesses
When possible, get the names and contact information of anybody who saw the attack or the events leading up to it. They will be invaluable if you need to argue your case in court.
4. File a Police Report
The sooner you can file a police report, the better. You want to be able to describe your attacker and the attack with as many details as possible. Not only is filing a police report the only way to pursue criminal charges, but it’s also more evidence if you seek financial compensation for the injuries you sustained during the attack.
5. Preserve Evidence
Take plenty of photos of your injuries. Collect and save any videos or pictures your friends or other witnesses may have saved of the attack. Save your clothes if they were torn or bloodied during the assault. Keep the weapon, if you can get hold of it.
6. Send a Spoliation of Evidence Letter to the Bar
Bars don’t hold onto their security camera footage forever. Sending a Spoliation of Evidence letter to the bar prevents them from deleting potential footage of the assault or getting rid of any other evidence they may have about your attack. An experienced negligent security lawyer can help you gather all the proper evidence.
7. Don’t Talk to Any Insurance Agent or Other Representatives from the Bar
Anything you say about the case to the bar or their insurance company may be used against you. Also, insurance companies will attempt to get you to accept the lowest offer they can. It’s best to contact a personal injury lawyer and let them try to secure a better settlement or take the bar to court.
8. Contact a Crime Victim Right’s Lawyer
The best chance you have of getting compensation for the injuries you experienced as a result of your attack is to talk to a crime victim lawyer. Contact SteinLaw today to schedule a free consultation to talk about your attack and whether you may be able to get compensation for your injuries.
Who Can I Sue if I Was Attacked at a Bar in Florida?
While it would seem to make sense to sue your attacker, they don’t have any insurance that would cover them, and they may not have much money or assets with which to pay you.
On the other hand, bars carry insurance that can pay out substantial sums of money if you can prove they are responsible for failing to keep you safe in their establishment. Bars owe you a duty of care to ensure you stay safe on their property, so you may be able to sue them to get compensation for the damages you incurred as a result of your assault.
Can I Sue the Bar Where I Was Assaulted?
While every case is different, you may be able to sue the bar where you were assaulted if you can prove that they provided negligent security that led to your attack. You must be able to prove that the bar owner owed you a legal duty of care; that they breached the duty of care owed to you; and that the breach of care resulted in your injuries.
If your injuries resulted in a shooting or stabbing at a bar or nightclub, please contact our experienced lawyers at SteinLaw today.
Proving Negligent Security in Florida
To sue the bar where you were attacked, you must prove that they provided negligent security. You must be able to prove the following elements.
- The Bar Owed You a Duty of Care - While trespassers are owed a very low duty of care, customers are owed the highest duty of care. The bar must do what they can to keep you safe on their property and warn you about potential dangers.
- The Bar Breached This Duty of Care - You (or your lawyer) must prove that the bar didn’t do enough to keep you safe on their property. This may include showing that they didn’t have enough security given a known crime risk, there was poor lighting in the area where you were attacked, or they served somebody who they know has a drinking problem.
- The Breach Resulted in Your Attack and Injuries - Could the bar have taken more steps to prevent your attack? Were your injuries and assault the direct result of the bar failing to provide a proper duty of care?
- You Suffered Damages - This is where all the documentation comes into play. If you fail to seek medical care or file a police report, it becomes more difficult to prove that you suffered damages as a result of the attack.
COMPENSATION FOR BAR CRIME VICTIMS
If you or a loved one were a victim of a crime at a bar, you may be eligible to receive compensation for criminal wrongs due to negligent security. At SteinLaw, our Crime Victim Lawyers will fight to get you and your family the maximum compensation you deserve!
Damages May Include:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional suffering
- Disability
- Lost income
- And more!
Contact SteinLaw Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Evaluation
If you were assaulted at a bar in Florida, contact SteinLaw today for a free case review to discuss whether you can sue the bar owner or establishment. If we accept your case, you won’t pay us anything unless we get you the compensation you deserve for injuries that resulted from your attack.
For more information, call us at (877) 783-4652 today!
