Q: when can, and cannot, a bouncer physically touch you?
recently, at a bar, I was randomly accosted by a drunk patron whom I didn't know. the bouncer quickly intervened and asked us both to leave. rather than argue, I complied and began walking towards the entrance. right as I was in the doorway, the bouncer suddenly grabbed me by the shoulders and literally flung me out the door. face first onto the pavement. laughter all around, etc. ..I would imagine this is all on camera.... has this bouncer committed assault / battery of some kind? I was in full compliance, walking normally and not acting out...
A: What you described is a crime against you (a misdemeanor battery at least) and you also potentially have a civil claim for monetary damages for the civil causes of action of negligent security, negligent training, and negligent supervision against the establishment, as well as a civil claim for battery against the employee (bouncer) personally. You should contact a Florida attorney who handles these cases.
A: Yes in addition to committing a crime, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the bar establishment. You should contact the police department and they should take a report, and then you should contact counsel here in Florida about filing a lawsuit if you suffered personal injury. Now if you have any injuries, you should get that looked at and treated immediately, and even if you don’t have any injuries, it’s a good idea to always get checked out in case you do.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
