Legal Question in Personal Injury in California

Does a night club have a duty to protect me from criminal acts?

I was assualted while at a night club in Southern California (LA). A man, whom I do not know, punched me in the face and knocked me to the floor for no apparent reason. It came out of no where. My question is, does the night club I was at have a duty to protect me from such acts? I paid a cover charge to enter the club. There were several bouncers throughout the club. Aren't they responsible for my safty?


Asked on 12/22/00, 1:43 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

John Bisnar Bisnar & Chase, LLP

Re: Does a night club have a duty to protect me from criminal acts?

A night club has a duty to reasonably keep its patrons safe. It is not strictly liable for injuries to patrons by patrons (they are not liable for every thing that happens).

If the person who injured you was known to be a danger, then the night club may have liabililty. If they served him to much booze, they could be liable. They are only liable for your injuries if they were somehow negligent in a duty to you.

In the situation that you described, I see no liability on the part of the night club. If you have any other information regarding the person who hit you or the night club's knowledge of this person, I may have a different opinion.

John Bisnar, Bisnar & Chase LLP, Personal Injury Attorneys & Counselors at Law. [email protected] 800-956-0123

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Answered on 12/27/00, 12:20 pm


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