Security Guards and Personal Injury

From a shopkeeper’s point of view, a security guard is a helpful deterrent to shoplifters. However, issues can arise when a security guard suspects that a theft has occurred. Security guards do not have the same type of powers as police officers do, as outlined in their training manual. But, as CBC shows in this article, sometimes security guards go overboard.

In particular, this can come up when there is alcohol involved, such as at a bar or night club. There is already the stereotype of a large, muscular bouncer throwing drunk patrons out on the street. But what happens when that patron is injured as a result? Courts have shown that security personnel for night clubs are held to a strict standard. This is true even if the patron in question has had a few drinks. In this case, a young man who had had at least 10 beers was thrown out after starting an argument. The argument started when the man tried to bring an unopened beer can into the bar. During this argument, both the bouncers and the plaintiff threw punches.

The plaintiff and his friend had left the bar, and went 100 metres away to wait for their friends. Security personnel followed them, under the guise of following the company policy of detaining patrons who had committed a crime (ie, punching the bouncer). However, instead of merely detaining him, the 4 or 5 bouncers beat him up and dragged him back across the parking lot to the bar. The manager, seeing this, did not tell them to stop. The court found both the lead bouncer in the beating and, vicariously, his employer, were liable for the plaintiff’s injuries.

If you’ve been injured by over-zealous security guards, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. John Mickelson Law Corporation can help you acquire financial assistance and medical treatment. Our ICBC lawyers have the experience needed to maximize your personal injury settlement. Call us at (604) 684-0040 for a free consultation in our Vancouver, Surrey or Abbotsford offices.

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