Fort Lauderdale has numerous nightlife options if you’re looking to have a good time with your friends and family, or simply looking to unwind after a long day or week. No matter which bar or nightclub you go to, though, there’s always the chance that negligent security could leave you hurt.
At Cowen Edwards, our Fort Lauderdale negligent security lawyers know that a fun night out can quickly turn serious when you’re hurt. If you or someone you know have been injured because of negligent security at a nightclub, contact us today for a free consultation.
Steps to Take After Being Injured at a Nightclub
Any number of things can happen at a Fort Lauderdale nightclub with negligent security. Typically, though, it winds up with you or someone you’re with being hurt, usually by an assault, attack, or some other type of incident that leaves you injured.
While you don’t necessarily expect such an incident to happen–and the nightclub will try to argue that they could not have stopped such an incident from happening–you’ll need to take certain steps to protect yourself and your claim:
- Receive immediate medical care – In the event of any injuries, swiftly seek medical assistance, potentially at the designated medical area within the nightclub.
- Inform the nightclub’s staff about the incident – Communicate the details of the injury to the nightclub staff, prompting them to complete an incident report for documentation purposes.
- Try to get photos of the scene – If you’re able, take photos of the accident site and any factors that may have contributed to the incident.
- Record the details – Maintain a thorough record of all medical treatments, encompassing medications, tests, and doctor’s notes.
- Tell your insurance – Notify your insurance company about the incident and resulting injury. If you possess travel insurance, contact the provider to update them on the situation and seek guidance regarding potential coverage.
- Preserve any supporting evidence – Safeguard evidence that can substantiate a potential claim, including witness statements, videos, photographs, damaged property, and pertinent documents.
- Follow up with medical care – If the injury requires ongoing treatment, stay diligent in attending scheduled medical appointments.
Regardless of the nature of the accident, prioritizing your health and safety is of utmost importance. Once immediate medical concerns are taken care of, connecting with our experienced team can provide insight into your available options.
Liability and Damages After a Nightclub Incident
Legally speaking, there’s two main things you’ll need to figure out after you’re hurt at a nightclub: who’s responsible and what your damages are.
In terms of responsibility, this is a legal concept known as liability, and it’s determined by establishing negligence. Negligence is the nightclub’s:
- Duty of care to take reasonable measures to protect your security and safety
When this doesn’t happen and you get hurt, they will have breached their duty. And then if you can show that this breach caused the incident that injured you, you will have established that the nightclub is responsible for covering your injuries and damages.
However, a number of other parties could also share some liability:
- Employees – These are the people working at the nightclub, like bartenders, bouncers, and managers. If they don’t do their job properly and it leads to an accident, they could be responsible.
- Other patrons – Anyone present at the nightclub, including patrons, who do something to cause your injury could be liable for their actions–or inaction.
- Security providers – Some nightclubs hire outside companies to handle security. If these security companies don’t do their job well and it contributes to an accident, they might share the blame.
- Property owners or managers – If the nightclub is part of a larger property, those overseeing the entire premises could be involved, especially if they neglect overall safety measures.
- Nightclub leadership – This group consists of the key decision-makers within the nightclub. If their decisions or actions lead to unsafe conditions, the entire management team could be held accountable.
Damages
Regardless of who is ultimately liable, working with our team can make sure the legal process plays out the way it’s supposed to. To that end, we can help you file your injury claim against anyone that’s liable for the incident that hurt you–which will allow you to recover certain damages. In legal terms, these refer to your losses and if your claim is successful, can include things like:
- Medical expenses – This covers costs like hospital bills, medications, surgeries, and necessary medical devices related to the incident.
- Lost wages – These damages cover any lost income and potential future earnings that you might have lost due to the incident.
- Property damage – If your personal property has been damaged in the incident, you can also potentially recover payment for the damage.
- Pain and suffering – You can seek support for physical pain and suffering resulting from the negligent security incident.
- Emotional distress – This covers the mental and emotional hardship from the incident, including issues like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Loss of quality of life or companionship – Financial considerations for the loss of enjoyment in life or companionship resulting from the negligent security incident.
Can Our Lawyers Help You With an Injury Claim?
There’s no legal requirement in Florida that says you need to have a lawyer represent you in an injury claim, but having our experienced team by your side can certainly make the process easier. By working with our lawyers, we fight for your claim and strive for the result you’re seeking. Here’s how we can help you:
- Explaining your options – With our experience and knowledge of Florida’s laws, we can explain your options to you at the outset of your injury. Taking advantage of our free consultation is a great way for us to get to know you and assess your case.
- Helping you with evidence – Evidence is extremely important to your overall case. While you can gather some of it on your own, like your medical records and damaged property, you may not be able to get surveillance footage or pictures from the nightclub that can really show what happened. Our team knows how to approach this evidence and will help you get it.
- Negotiating with the other side – One way or the other, an insurance company is going to be involved with your claim. Whether you file against the nightclub, a private individual, or some other party, they will be represented by lawyers and insurance companies. We have years of experience in negotiating and handling communication with the other side and can protect your interests.
- Representing you in court – Should your case proceed to a lawsuit, we’ll be there to handle all the day-to-day responsibilities of your claim, from making filings to being present at court hearings. Then, if the case goes all the way to trial, we’ll present a strong case in front of a jury so you can get the outcome you deserve.
Being patient is essential because the process of making claims can take time and can be challenging, especially when dealing with a sizable establishment or multiple parties who may be held responsible. No matter what, our number one goal is your satisfaction. With our experienced team on your side, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal side of things.
Committed Fort Lauderdale Negligent Security Lawyers
Whenever you’re hurt while at a Fort Lauderdale nightclub, it can be extremely troubling. Most likely, you were simply trying to have a good time. So, when your security is compromised because the nightclub was negligent, Cowen Edwards will be there to stand up for your legal rights. Our committed and experienced Fort Lauderdale negligent security lawyers can guide you through the legal process to get the result you need for your injuries. Contact us today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation to get started.
