Any party that holds legal responsibility for a bar shooting could be considered liable. Potentially liable parties can include the bar’s owners, the shooter, or a security firm hired by bar owners.
If you got hurt in a shooting, a Bridgeport bar shooting lawyer can give you more information about the potentially liable parties in your situation. An attorney can also focus on helping you get the compensation you deserve after this kind of traumatic event.
Who Can You Hold Liable in Bar Shootings?
Many different parties could hold legal liability for your losses after a bar shooting. An attorney will need to carefully investigate the facts of the shooting to identify the liable parties and bring claims against them for compensation.
Generally, these investigations may involve:
- Getting a copy of the police report
- Speaking to eyewitnesses
- Reviewing surveillance footage from the bar
You should reach out to an attorney quickly to get help identifying the liable party in a bar shooting.
Bar Owners Could Be Held Liable in Bar Shootings
In many cases, you can hold a bar owner accountable for covering your losses after a shooting. Bar owners may hold liability if they fail to provide a safe environment by improperly training their staff, over-serving alcohol, or responding too slowly to the shooting.
Premises Liability and Bar Shooting Claims
Bar owners have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for guests on their property. Under this section of the law, a bar owner could hold liability for a shooting if they failed to take reasonable steps to keep their patrons safe.
To bring a premises liability claim against a bar owner, a lawyer will need to prove that the owner knew (or should have known) about potential hazards and didn’t take reasonable steps to address the issue.
For example, a lawyer could build this kind of claim if a bar owner knew about security risks due to past violent events and failed to do anything to minimize the dangers posed to bar patrons.
Negligent Security and Bar Shooting Claims
Bar owners may also hold liability for shootings on the basis of negligent security. Property owners may hold liability if they:
- Failed to hire appropriate security personnel for their location
- Used a broken surveillance system
- Had poor lighting in a parking lot or other potentially dangerous areas
- Did not properly control any unruly patrons
An attorney will need to review the facts surrounding the shooting to see if a bar owner needs to cover your losses.
The Shooter Could Be Held Liable in a Bar Shooting
In many cases, individuals who fire a gun in a bar are liable for any damage or harm they cause. However, these individuals may not have the funds to provide compensation for all of their victims, making it essential that you consider other potentially liable parties with your attorney.
A Security Firm Could Be Held Liable for a Bar Shooting
Sometimes, security firms hired by bar ownership are liable for shootings. For example, these companies may hold liability if your lawyer finds that they failed to adequately train their personnel or failed to properly maintain security alarms or cameras, with the lack of security contributing to the shooting.
An attorney can give you more information about who can be held liable in bar shootings, as well as go over your legal options after this kind of attack.
The Liable Party May Need to Cover Your Losses
Your lawyer needs to identify the liable party after a bar shooting to hold them responsible for covering all of your losses. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for funds to pay for your:
Medical Expenses
You may end up facing catastrophic injuries after a bar shooting. The liable party may need to pay for all of your medical bills, including the cost of emergency treatment, a hospital stay, physical therapy appointments, and medications.
Pain and Suffering
You may qualify for funds to cover the non-economic effects of a shooting. Your attorney can take steps to bring you compensation for your emotional distress, pain, and mental suffering.
Lost Wages
An attorney can also help you secure compensation to cover any wages you missed while off work and healing after a shooting. You can discuss all the funds available in your situation with a skilled attorney who will put you first.
Talk to Us About Liability in a Bar Shooting
So, who can be held liable in a bar shooting? Liability for these events can vary. Sometimes, lawyers will bring a claim against the bar’s owner, the shooter, or even a company that was supposed to provide security for the bar.
You can rely on an attorney from our team at Skiber Law to identify potentially liable parties and to hold them accountable for covering all of your losses after a shooting in a bar. Our team has over 50 years of combined experience, and we’re ready to take charge of your legal needs today.
