Abel Rodriguez, et al. v. Hasan Perryman, et al.

Case Background

On August 27, 2020, Plaintiffs Abel Rodriguez and Cynthia Rodriguez filed a premises liability lawsuit in the District Court of Tarrant County, Texas (Case number: 096-319133). The lawsuit stems from a violent bar assault at the Texas Live! entertainment complex, where Abel Rodriguez was attacked by a security guard, resulting in severe injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. The plaintiffs allege negligence in maintaining safe premises and failure to properly screen employees, seeking compensation for medical expenses and emotional distress

Cause

Abel Rodriguez, a 54-year-old veteran and former police officer, suffered severe injuries after a violent bar assault at the Texas Live! entertainment complex in Arlington, Texas. On September 9, 2018, Rodriguez, his wife Cynthia, and two friends visited Texas Live! at 1650 E. Randol Mill Road for an evening out. After dining, the group entered the PBR bar inside the complex, where customers could purchase souvenir beer mugs. However, patrons were required to leave these mugs outside the bar on a table. As the group was leaving the bar, they noticed a stack of glasses on a table and asked the bouncer, Hasan Perryman, about the mugs. Perryman replied that he took them home and gave them to friends and family. Believing the conversation to be friendly, Rodriguez picked up one of the glasses and left the bar to get pizza from a nearby food court. While they were ordering food, Perryman approached and abruptly took the glass from the table where Rodriguez sat. When Rodriguez asked him about the action, Perryman shoved him violently to the ground. Without warning, Perryman raised the heavy glass mug and smashed it against the back of Rodriguez’s skull as he ducked his head. The bar assault left Rodriguez bleeding profusely from a severe laceration and in visible distress. Perryman escalated the attack by punching Rodriguez in the eye before leaving the scene. Cynthia witnessed