Good Fences And Not So Good Neighbors: Property Law 101

Injured in a Bar Fight? Get Compensated for Your Injuries!

23 January 2017 by Hunter Moore

If you were recently injured in a bar-room brawl, you may be wondering whether there's any chance of receiving compensation for your injuries so you can pay your medical bills. Chances are, you may not be able to identify the person who caused your injury or find their mailing address, both of which are crucial in filing a lawsuit. But you could find out who injured you, and you could sue the establishment. Here's what you need to know. 

If the police were called, there may be a criminal case

You may be able to find out the name of the person who injured you if the police were called. There may be a criminal case or at least a police report. While this information is public record and can be found by going to your courthouse or its website, a personal-injury lawyer can find this information and begin processing paperwork for your compensation based on the names and addresses he or she discovers.

More importantly, a criminal case for the bar fight could help your civil case for compensation for your personal injuries. If there is a pending criminal case, it may be a good idea to hold off on filing a lawsuit until after the criminal case has been closed. However, this does not mean that you would not receive compensation if the individual is not found criminally guilty, as civil cases do not have a "beyond doubt" requirement. But waiting can be helpful in your civil case should any proof or evidence come to light that you and your lawyer were previously unaware of. 

If a fight broke out, the bar didn't fulfill its duty to provide a safe environment

A bar can be held liable if they do not provide a safe environment for each of their patrons. Bar owners can be held liable if fights break out, especially if the fights could've been avoided. For example, a bartender notices a belligerent and obviously drunk patron hurling insults at another patron yet still serves the individual even though he or she clearly should not have any more alcohol. After a few more swigs of their alcoholic beverage, the belligerent patron throws a punch at someone walking by, which starts a fight. In this type of scenario, the bartender contributed to the fight, and the establishment and bartender could be held liable. 

Talk to a lawyer such as Dunnigan & Messier P.C. for more information. 

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