Woman Files Personal Injury Lawsuit Against Bar After Being Shot on Premises

An Illinois woman has filed a personal injury lawsuit against a Joliet bar after she was shot in the shoulder inside Terrace Inn Lounge on Gardner Street. According to the plaintiff’s lawsuit, on May 29, 2023, the Terrace Inn sold liquor to an allegedly intoxicated person at the defendant’s premises. The plaintiff contends that the alcoholic beverages consumed by the shooter led to his intoxication. The plaintiff was inside the Terrace Inn Lounge when the shooter provoked an argument and fight with other people in the bar. The shooter fired his gun while inside the establishment, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiff was struck by the shooter’s bullets and “as a direct and proximate result of the intoxication of [the shooter], an allegedly intoxicated person, [the plaintiff] was caused to be injured when … [the shooter] … shot the plaintiff, ” the lawsuit read.

The lawsuit accuses Terrace Inn Lounge of negligently serving an inebriated customer. The lawsuit further accuses the defendant of being liable under the Illinois Dram Shop Act. The plaintiff’s lawsuit further accuses Terrace Inn Lounge of failing to employ bouncers or security onsite or at its entrances, having failed to properly supervise its employees in the performance of their bouncer or security duties, failing to properly search the shooter, failing to provide a safe environment for its patrons including the plaintiff, and failing to impede, restrain, or arrest the shooter.

What is Illinois’ Dram Shop Act?

Originally, bars could not be held responsible for over-serving alcohol to an individual who later caused a patron harm. However, the Illinois Dram Shop Act changed this. The rule allows those injured by an intoxicated person to sue the place that overserved them. The law helps victims of drunk driving accidents pursue compensation for their injuries from negligent establishments that over-served alcohol. It further allows individuals to file negligent security lawsuits against establishments if they are injured by a drunk customer. The law only applies to establishments that are licensed to sell alcohol—not private parties or private events.

To win a lawsuit against a bar or restaurant for overserving alcohol, you must present evidence that shows:

• The defendant is a licensed liquor establishment (tavern, bar, or liquor store)
• The defendant served or sold alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person
• The intoxicated person became intoxicated by consuming alcohol
• The intoxicated person caused your injuries

If the intoxicated individual was served by multiple establishments, Illinois’ Dram Shop Law can hold each individual establishment responsible so long as that establishment served them sufficient alcohol to make them intoxicated.

A successful claim will allege that the individual who caused your injury was drunk at the time. When it comes to negligent security lawsuits, you’ll need evidence of the patron who caused injury being served by the bar or show receipts from alcohol purchases. Bars can delete this evidence quickly. Often, they only keep security footage for two weeks. So, it’s critical to act quickly to ensure that your proof is not destroyed.

Talk to a Danville, Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer Today 

Have you been injured by a drunk patron at a bar or restaurant? If so, you may be entitled to damages. Contact the Danville personal injury lawyers at Patel Law, PC today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we can help.

Source:

patch.com/illinois/joliet/woman-shot-joliet-bar-files-negligence-lawsuit