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What are Your Options if a Bouncer Uses Force?

February 02, 2023

What are Your Options if a Bouncer Uses Force?

You and your friends are out for a well-deserved night on the town. Everyone is having a good time - until a verbal argument suddenly breaks out between your group and another. Before you know it, the argument turns into a physical altercation. A nearby bouncer gets involved in trying to break up the fight, but how much force can they use? What if they injure you in the process?

Suppose a bouncer or similar security officer injured you. In that case, it’s in your best interest to contact a knowledgeable Davidson County personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An attorney is the best person to answer your questions regarding your specific situation and injuries.

What Can Bouncers Do?

Bouncers and security professionals should have training and licenses. They should know what they can and cannot do on the job.

Bouncers can hit you or use “reasonable” physical force, but only under certain circumstances. For example, they can’t just randomly walk up to you and start hitting you or throw you out of the bar. If you slap them and they hit you over the head with a beer bottle, that isn’t considered “reasonable” force.

Typically, the ground rule is that the bouncer can’t hit you first. However, if you hit or otherwise use physical force with the bouncer:

Bouncers can’t use physical force first, and they can’t use force to get you to comply with their commands. For instance, if they tell you to leave the bar, but you refuse, they can’t hit you. If they tell you to leave and you punch them, then they can match that force and punch you back.

Bouncers can also use “reasonable” physical force to protect others, even if the violence isn’t directed at them.

Your Options if a Bouncer Uses Force

In the heat of the moment, it’s always best to de-escalate the situation or simply leave. If a bouncer used force against you and you suffered an injury as a result, schedule a consultation with a seasoned Davidson County personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You may or may not have a personal injury claim, but if you do have one, this is the first step in exercising your rights. The lawyer will examine the circumstances that caused your injury and the severity of your injury. If it seems that the bouncer initiated force first and not with the intent to protect someone, or they used unreasonable force, you might have a personal injury claim.

Contact a Davidson County Personal Injury Lawyer at Raybin & Weissman Today

At Raybin & Weissman, Attorneys at Law, we offer free initial personal injury consultations to injured parties. This means you can speak to a Davidson County personal injury attorney about your potential claim for free. You could receive compensation for your injuries, but your rights have deadlines. If a bouncer injured you, contact us today for help. We can be reached by phone at 615-256-6666 or online.