Bar or Nightclub Shooting
Shootings at bars and nightclubs are not necessarily random occurrences. Sometimes they occur because a property owner failed to install appropriate security measures. If a loved one dies as a result of a bar or nightclub shooting, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses.
Victims of Fatal Bar and Nightclub Shootings
A night spent at a bar or nightclub should be a relaxing and fun evening. Unfortunately, bar and nightclub shootings can turn a night out into a life-changing tragedy.
If your loved one died in a bar or nightclub shooting that occurred because security at the establishment was not sufficient, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This can help recover compensation for such losses as your funeral expenses, loss of your loved one’s income, and more. Schedule a free consultation with our wrongful death experts at Mourn to learn more about your legal options.
Bar & Nightclub Shootings Statistics
Researchers and agencies have only recently begun investigating the frequency of bar and nightclub shootings. While information regarding how often they occur is not widely available, the following information is important to consider:
- Approximately one-third of individuals who commit bar or nightclub shootings show some evidence of a behavioral or cognitive thought disorder.
- About 65% of those who commit bar or nightclub shootings have prior criminal records, and approximately 74% have a history of violent behavior.
- About 22% of bar and nightclub shooting perpetrators have been involved in public domestic disputes.
This is not meant to suggest that we should stigmatize or profile a group of individuals because they may share some similarities with those who commit these crimes. However, since many bar and nightclub shooters present a history of violent behavior, bar and nightclub owners should train their staff to recognize warning signs for potential violence.
Causes of Bar or Nightclub Shooting Fatalities
While gun violence may seem like an unavoidable tragedy, there are measures businesses can take to prevent a shooting from happening or reduce the loss of life if violence does occur. Factors that can influence whether anyone loses their life in an attempted bar or nightclub shooting include the following:
- Whether enough security personnel were working at the time
- If the security personnel a bar or nightclub owner hired were qualified for their jobs
- Whether security personnel received adequate training
- If there were enough security cameras, exits, and proper lighting throughout the property
- Whether all other necessary security measures were taken, such as conducting bag checks and using a wand to detect possible weapons
Shootings occur at bars and nightclubs relatively often when compared to other types of locations. Those who own such establishments must take steps to keep their patrons safe.
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When Are Bar or Nightclub Owners Liable for Shootings?
Although premises liability laws vary somewhat from one state to another, in general, they require that property owners take reasonable steps to ensure that others are not injured on their properties as a result of incidents that could have been prevented. These laws may apply when bar or nightclub owners permit lax security policies that put their customers and guests in danger.
Compensation After a Shooting Death
If you lose a loved one in a bar or nightclub shooting because the establishment’s owners were negligent, you may be able to recover compensation accordingly. Although no amount of money can fully compensate you for the loss of a loved one, it can address some of the financial hardships you may now be facing as a result of their unexpected and avoidable passing.
If they would still be alive today had it not been for another party’s negligence, you should be compensated. In order to secure the compensation you may be eligible for, you will have to prove that your loved one’s death was the result of another party’s negligence, such as the owner of the bar or nightclub where they were shot. This often requires conducting an investigation to show that inadequate security measures caused a shooter to enter the premises and fatally injure your loved one.
Private individuals do not usually have access to the resources or time needed to conduct such investigations. However, the experts at Mourn do. Someone from our team can review the details of your case and determine if you may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If you do, they can conduct an investigation which may yield evidence proving negligence was a factor in your loved one’s death. Although a lawyer cannot promise you will secure compensation, your chances of arriving at a fair settlement or being awarded damages in court will be greater if you have a qualified premises liability attorney on your side.
Our Legal Advocates Are Here to Help
We understand that no amount of money can fill the void left by your loved one’s passing. However, we believe that every business should take reasonable measures to protect its patrons from violence. If they do not, they should be held accountable.
If you think a loved one who died in a bar or nightclub shooting would still be here today were it not for the negligence of a bar or nightclub owner, you may be able to seek compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Schedule a free legal evaluation with one of our legal experts at Mourn for more information about your legal options and possible compensation.
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