BEAUMONT – A default judgment worth more than $2.2 million was recently handed down against Couches Creek LLC, better known as Club Rumba.
The lawsuit was filed earlier this year by Justin Taylor, who claims he was at Club Rumba on Dec. 9, 2017 – the date that a fatal shooting took place, making headlines.
According to the petition, Jordan Rashard, the alleged assailant who is not a party to the lawsuit, engaged in a physical altercation with several other men inside Club Rumba, one of which brandished and discharged a firearm.
Taylor claims he was struck by a stray bullet as he attempted to flee the club.
He accused Club Rumba of negligently failing to provide adequate security and take reasonable steps to defuse a dangerous situation.
The suit further alleged that Rumba served the assailant alcoholic beverages when “it was apparent” that he was “obviously intoxicated and presented a clear danger to himself, plaintiff, and to others.”
Taylor sought damages for his past and future medical expenses, pain and mental anguish, impairment, disfigurement and lost wages.
Court records show that on Oct. 1 Taylor filed a motion for default judgment, stating that service was affected upon the club on Feb. 8 and that the deadline to respond was March 4.
An order granting the motion was entered on Oct. 15, court records show.
On Dec. 3, a final judgment was entered in the case, awarding Taylor $58,535.51 for his past medical expenses, $850,000 for his past and future pain and mental anguish, $850,000 for his past and future impairment, and $450,000 for his past and future disfigurement.
Taylor is represented by Robert Morse, attorney for the Daspit Law Firm in Houston.
Judge Justin Sanderson, 60th District Court, presided over the case.
Case No. B-203175