The Associated Press and Fox News are reporting  the San Francisco Giants fan who was beaten at Dodger Stadium after last week's opening game shows signs of brain damage and remains in critical condition.  While the victim, Bryan Stow, remains hospitalized police detectives are looking into unconfirmed reports that the same suspects struck other Giants fans minutes before the attack that left Stow in a coma.  Stow, a 42-year-old paramedic and father of two from Santa Cruz, remains in critical but guarded condition at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center.  As a result of the attack, he suffered a severe skull fracture and bad bruising to his brain's frontal lobes, said Dr. Gabriel Zada, a neurosurgeon.  According to Zada, "there is evidence of brain injury and dysfunction."

See the Fox News story HERE.

Among the issues coming to light in this case is whether the Dodgers' security staff took reasonable steps to prevent this assault from occurring on their premises.   There are now unconfirmed reports that these same assailants attacked other Giants fans prior to the vicious attack on Stow.   Assuming this to be true, then the question becomes whether, under California law, the Dodgers' duty to take reasonable steps to secure common areas against foreseeable criminal acts of third parties was fulfilled.  Under California premises liability law, a business proprietor has a duty to take affirmative action to control the wrongful acts of third persons which threaten invitees where the proprietor has reasonable cause to anticipate such acts and the probability of resulting injury.  Here, if the Dodgers' security staff failed to intervene and protect Stow from the assault that should have been foreseen, the Dodgers would be liable.

Compensation for the victims of violent crimes that occur on a business owner's property is an important concern for all Californians.  When a business proprietor invites guests onto their property they should be held accountable if they fail to provide a reasonably safe environment.  An Orange County personal injury attorney with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims.  Mr. Ralph has 20 years of experience handling personal injury cases, including just this type.  Mr. Ralph can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a family member been a victim of a violent crime that occurred at a place of business?

  • Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above.  This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter.  A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.