Deck of Shuckers Collapses, Injuring Two Dozen – Could Prompt Premises Liability Lawsuits

In the evening of Thursday, June 13th, a crowd had gathered outside on the deck of a Shuckers restaurant in North Bay Village to watch the playoffs between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. Then, with a crack, the patrons were plunged five feet down into Biscayne Bay. Two dozen patrons were rushed to the hospital with injuries.

Now, Shuckers restaurant could face premises liability lawsuits, a type of personal injury lawsuit that alleges neglect on business or private property.

Around 100 people stood on the deck to watch the NBA playoffs. When the deck collapsed, bartenders dove into the water to save patrons, and other patrons began helping the victims out of the wreckage. Fire fighters and EMTs rushed to the scene, as well as air rescue units. Of the 24 people transported to area hospitals, 2 were in serious condition.

“There was just a crack, and then we were in the water,” said Crystal Infante, 23, who was eating and watching the game with friend Hernan Reyes, 21, when the deck, about five feet over the water, collapsed. “It was really hard to get out, and you couldn’t find anyone.”

Chris Volz, 39, said he was sitting at the western end of the bar, about 10 feet from where the deck gave way. “Everybody’s watching the game. It sounded like a freight train, then everyone was gone. The deck went down like a V.”

Although many of the patrons were hospitalized, reports indicate that everyone was accounted for, and none of the victims is missing.

“Most of the people were just calling out, ‘Is anybody missing, is anybody missing?’ You just kept hearing that over and over and over,” said Miami Beach resident Peter Zalewski, who was watching the game from inside the restaurant.

However, the deck’s instability, or the over-excited crowd, could soon become the restaurant’s problem. Patrons are still recovering from their shock, but Shuckers could soon face some premises liability lawsuits.

Premises Liability Lawsuits in South Carolina

Our premises liability practice covers the entire state of South Carolina and includes:

• Accidents occurring in grocery stores

• Retail store accidents

• Elevator accidents

• Accidents occurring on unsafe fast-food playgrounds

• Swimming pool accidents

• Accidents and injuries caused by negligent security

• Dog bites and animal attacks

• Government property accidents

Cases involving businesses typically involve complex issues of insurance coverage. Some businesses are covered by multiple insurance policies and it is important to fully understand each of these policies before making a claim.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Premises Liability Lawsuits

If you or someone you love has been inured in a falling accident or by any other dangerous condition on public, commercial, or private property, you may be able to recover monetary damages from the property owner to cover medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Contact the premises liability attorneys at The Strom Law Firm, LLC for help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so do not hesitate to contact us. 803.252.4800.