Premises Liability and Nightclub Shootings

Every weekend, thousands of people across Southern California put on their nicest outfits and go out to popular hotspots, such as Create and The Conga Room. Unfortunately, as recent events demonstrate, an innocent night at the club can quickly turn dangerous and deadly. Nightclub owners and operators have a duty to maintain their businesses in a manner that promotes safety and prevents harm. This includes protection from shootings that may occur in or around the club. When owners fail to meet their responsibility, they may be liable for resulting injuries under the legal theory of premises liability.

There have been far too many nightclub shootings over the past few years. While the public is not always made aware of these incidents, some have been reported in the national and international news, including:

• A July 2017 shooting where dozens of people were injured in a Little Rock, Arkansas nightclub. According to reports, the incident related to gang activity.
• One of the most notorious nightclub shootings in history occurred in Orlando, Florida at Pulse nightclub, where 49 people were killed and about 70 others wounded. Many of the survivors have reportedly filed suit against the gunman’s wife and employer.
• In March of 2017, gunshots rang out in a Cincinnati nightclub, reportedly killing one victim and injuring 15 others.
• A March 2015 San Bernardino nightclub shooting left two dead and five injured when 20 to 30 rounds were reportedly shot inside of Stingers Bar and Nightclub.

You have the right to feel safe and protected in a nightclub

Property owners have a duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe manner for visitors. The extent of this duty varies depending on the type of property and type of visitor. However, business owners owe a high level of care to the patrons they invite onto their properties for business-related purposes. In relation to nightclubs, owners owe a high duty of care to the clubgoers who pay to enter their clubs and make purchases once inside.

When shootings occur at a nightclub, it may be due to a lack of proper security. Under premises liability, some property owners must also ensure that reasonable security measures are in place to protect patrons from criminal activities, such as shootings. In determining what measures are necessary, owners may consider numerous factors, such as neighborhood crime statistics and the average age of club attendees.  For example, a club in a high crime community may need more security guards or surveillance cameras in the parking lot. Other security measures frequently utilized by nightclubs include:

• Pat downs upon entry
• Bag searches upon entry
• Adequate lighting outside of the club
• Parking lot protocol
• Techniques to keep exits accessible at all times

When nightclub shootings occur, there may be numerous liable parties. The club owner may bear some responsibility. If the club contracts an outside security company, that business may share in the liability. You do not have to handle these complex legal issues alone. At Taylor & Ring, our professional Los Angeles premises liability lawyers are here to assist you through the painful aftermath of a nightclub shooting. Call our office today at 310.776.6390 to schedule your confidential consultation or complete our contact form.