The Legal Herald
(WUSA 9 News)
Nightclub Security Lapse? Our Legal Take: 1 Killed in Layla Lounge Stabbing
Local News
A 19-year-old young man, of Clinton, MD, was reportedly killed in a stabbing at the Layla Lounge nightclub early Thursday morning, October 22, 2015.
According to WUSA 9 News, the violent assault occurred shortly after 1:00am at the Layla Lounge in northeast D.C., near Gallaudet University and Union Market. Police have apparently not yet identified a motive or suspect, but according to nbcwashington.com, the club was “ordered…to close its doors for 96 hours while police investigate[d].” The news station also reports that “security guards [at the club] broke up a fight twice but didn’t tell police even though two D.C. officers were there, working an approved overtime shift.”
Our Legal Take
Patrons of nightclubs and bars have a right to be safe and secure while on the premises of the establishment that they are visiting, and The Murray Law Firm questions whether this tragedy may have been prevented.
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Oct 2015 Crime Map (spotcrime.com
Recent crime reports reveal a number of shootings, assaults and thefts in the area surrounding the nightclub. What additional security precautions, in any, were implemented by the nightclub owner or management following previous reports of local violence?
- What age restrictions, if any, are in place at the nightclub and how are these enforced? What weapons screenings, if any, were in place at the time of the assault?
Generally, nightclub owners are required to protect all patrons legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. Should the facts of this matter reveal that the nightclub failed to provide adequate security to protect those on its premises, the family of the young victim may elect to seek justice and pursue a legal claim for his wrongful death.
Given the complexities of pursuing a negligent security case, it is imperative that the family retain an experienced attorney who can ensure the preservation of any and all evidence that may support such a claim. Based upon its prior experience in handling property security negligence claims, The Murray Law Firm suggests that photographs and a thorough, unbiased inspection of the property will need to be performed immediately, before any evidence may be repaired, damaged or destroyed.
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The Murray Law Firm has an extensive and successful record representing victims of violence and security negligence. We have recovered millions of dollars for our Clients, and we recently obtained a $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property. We offer our legal assistance, if desired.
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