GALVESTON - A local bar is being sued following an alleged fight earlier this year on its premises, recent court documents say.
In a lawsuit filed Aug. 8 against Buck Brothers Inc. in Galveston County District Court, Galveston resident Renee Nash claims she was injured as a result of the event in question at the Buckshot Saloon last Feb. 12.
Nash was at the establishment with her friends during the height of the city's Mardi Gras festivities.
She explains that an argument between patrons ensued and escalated throughout the night, culminating in a physical confrontation on the dance floor.
The plaintiff was not involved in the subject fight, but she "was knocked over and injured as the fight spilled over onto an area where [she] was standing," the original petition says.
The suit asserts the defendant should have known that "numerous incidents of violence" took place at its business.
"Despite the defendant's knowledge of the ongoing argument, the defendant failed to take reasonable steps to protect its guests from a foreseeable altercation," it says.
Buck Brothers is faulted for:
- Failing to conduct a security risk assessment;
- Failing to establish a satisfactory security program for the establishment;
- Failing to properly train management, security personnel and other employees;
- Failing to provide an adequate amount of security personnel at the premises on the date of the incident in question;
- Failing to post crime deterrent signs on or around the premises;
- Failing to require dangerous patrons to leave the premises;
- Failing to implement any policies to prevent loitering on the premises; and
- Failing to provide standard safety policies and procedures known to help prevent serious crime and injuries to customers.
Consequently, Nash seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
She is represented by P. Dean Brinkley of Templeton & Brinkley in Beaumont.
Galveston County 212th District Court Judge Susan Criss is presiding over the litigation.
Case No. 13-CV-1035