Because people in nightclubs and bars consume alcohol – quite a lot of it, actually – these establishments owe a special duty of care to their patrons. Under Pennsylvania’s premises liability law, owners of nightclubs and bars must eliminate any dangerous conditions on their property and ensure the safety of their visitors.
Accidents can happen to you on any type of property, but the risk of injury increases tenfold in establishments where alcoholic beverages are served to patrons. Specifically, we are talking about bars and nightclubs in Pittsburgh and elsewhere in Pennsylvania.
“Owners of bars and nightclubs owe their patrons a special duty of care because there are quite a few dangerous conditions when alcoholic beverages are involved,” says our Pittsburgh bar and nightclub accident attorney at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman.
COMMON BAR AND NIGHTCLUB ACCIDENTS IN PENNSYLVANIA
So what are the most common bar and nightclubs injuries in Pennsylvania? More often than not, people get injured in bars and nightclubs in the following situations:
- Bar fights (or nightclub fights) account for the largest percentage of personal injury claims stemming from establishments that serve alcoholic beverages to their patrons. Bar fights can happen anywhere: in the bar, on the dancefloor, in the restroom, or even in the parking lot. “Even innocent bystanders can get injured in a bar fight due to many parties involved (security guards and individuals caught up in the fight), excessive use of force, broken glass, and patrons throwing furniture and other items at one another,” warns our experienced nightclub / bar accident attorney in Pittsburgh.
- Slip and fall accidents are also very common in bars and nightclubs, because intoxicated patrons are no strangers to spilling drinks all over the floor, not to mention that the floor in restrooms can get pretty messy after 1 am. Obviously, the nightclub or bar is responsible for cleaning up the mess to keep their property safe and free of slip-and-fall hazards.
- Broken glass and damaged furniture can cause cuts and puncture wounds.
- Food poisoning can also be a common source of personal injury lawsuits against bars and nightclubs that serve food.
- Faulty stairs or lack of handrails can also be a problem, particularly since nightclubs and bars are full of intoxicated persons who can barely stand straight, let alone walk up or down the stairs.
- Poor lighting is also a common cause of injury in bars and nightclubs.
- Inadequate security can be responsible for assaults, rapes, and robberies in nightclubs and bars.
- Trampling can also occur at any bar or nightclub that is crowded beyond its physical and legal capacity.
THE BAR OR NIGHTCLUB’S LIABILITY FOR YOUR INJURY
Bars and nightclubs can be held liable for your injuries as long as you can prove that the owner or management breached their legal duty of care. Our Pittsburgh bar accident lawyer explains that this legal duty of care is to take all reasonable precautions to protect patrons from foreseeable harm.
Under Pennsylvania’s premises liability law, “foreseeable” refers to any harm that the bar or nightclub owner is aware of or should be aware of. Nightclubs and bars in Pennsylvania carry liability insurance coverage to pay for any damages and losses suffered by their patrons as a result of breaching the duty of care. Usually, it is advised to consult with a nightclub accident lawyer in Pittsburgh or elsewhere in Pennsylvania to determine liability in your particular situation.
Schedule a free consultation with our lawyers at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman by calling at 888-98-TWINS(89467).