An argument between two men at a bar on Labor Day left one of the men on life support, the Broward Sheriff’s Office reported Monday.
Paul Dean Harris, 44, was arrested Sunday and charged with felony battery resulting in great bodily harm. He is being held at the Broward County Main Jail on a $25,000 bond.
On Sept. 6, Harris and the victim were arguing back and forth across the bar at the Side Pocket Pub, on the 3200 block of East Atlantic Boulevard, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Finally, the bartender asked the two men to pay their tabs and leave.
“Once that took place, the victim came over to Harris to extend his hand in peace. That’s when Harris hit him and the man fell backward and hit his head,” said Keyla Concepcion, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office.
The victim’s name must be verified before it can be released, Concepcion said.
Tragic accidents in Florida are caused way too often by individuals that choose to drink and drive. If the drunk driver was served alcohol at a bar or other establishment prior to the accident, under certain circumstances Florida law imposes liability on the bar / establishment. Commonly referred to as the Dram Shop Statute, Florida Statute § 768.125 states in part that a person ( bar / establishment) who willfully and unlawfully sells or furnishes alcoholic beverages to a person who is not of lawful drinking age or who knowingly serves a person habitually addicted to the use of any or all alcoholic beverages may become liable for injury or damage caused by or resulting from the intoxication of such minor or person. Therefore, liability of the bar can arise under two circumstances: (1) by serving a minor; or (2) by knowingly serving an alcoholic.
The Law Offices of Wolf and Pravato have handled numerous “Dram Shop” and personal injury attorney in Hollywood actions for the wrongful conduct of bars and other establishments in serving alcohol to minors and alcoholics. Therefore, we are keenly aware of the pitfalls and challenges of these types of cases. It is imperative that you retain an attorney as quickly as possible after an accident in order to protect your rights, including the preservation of any evidence such as witness statements, surveillance video , scene photographing, etc.
