Who Can I Sue if I Was Injured in a Bar Fight in Illinois?

 Posted on June 13, 2024 in Personal Injury

Illinois has a buzzing nightlife. There are over 1,600 nightclubs and bars in Chicago alone. But a side effect of any bustling night scene is an increase in violence, often fueled by alcohol. It is not uncommon for fights to break out in bars and clubs among partygoers after a couple of rounds of drinks. Unfortunately, these fights sometimes cause injuries — not only to the participants but also to innocent bystanders.

If you were injured in a bar fight, you are probably wondering who you can sue for damages. You might be able to sue the person in the fight who injured you. You also might be able to sue the establishment if you can prove that its management was negligent. Negligence means that the bar or nightclub managers did not take reasonable action to ensure the safety of patrons.

The best way to find out who you can sue for injuries from a bar fight is to consult an Illinois personal injury lawyer.

How Do I Know if the Bar Was Negligent?

There are several ways you might be able to show that your injury was caused by the establishment’s negligence:

• If the bar’s management failed to hire adequate security, it may be considered negligent. Bars and nightclubs that serve alcohol should have a reasonable expectation of violent behavior and should implement security measures to handle violent situations.

• Bar employees are expected to exercise public safety when serving patrons. This includes refusing service to drunk or unruly customers. If the bar continued to service customers who were obviously rowdy and it led to a bar fight, the bar may be liable.

• Sometimes injuries can even be caused by the security a bar provides. A bouncer who gets too excited when breaking up a fight might use excessive force and cause injuries, which can be considered negligence on the part of the bar.

What if I Was Involved in the Bar Fight?

An important thing to keep in mind is that Illinois has a comparative negligence law, which means that more than one person can be negligent in a personal injury case. If you were more than 50 percent negligent, you cannot collect compensation for your damages. If you were less than 50 percent negligent then you can bring a claim, but your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of your fault.

So, if you were involved in provoking the bar fight, it is possible that you will be found to have some percentage of fault. If you clearly did not start the fight then you may be able to collect some compensation, but only an experienced attorney can tell you how much you can expect.

Contact a Decatur, IL Bar Fight Attorney

Proving negligence is a difficult task. This is especially true in the case of a bar fight, and particularly if the fight involves more than two people. An experienced Bloomington, IL bar fight lawyer, however, will know how to structure the case to your advantage.

When you bring your injury to Kanoski Bresney, we will investigate all the facts of the incident and build a strong case for damages. Our skilled and knowledgeable attorneys will fight aggressively to get you the most compensation possible. Call 888-826-8682 for a free consultation and to start building your case today.