A Juniata Park man recently filed suit against Woody’s Bar and Voyeur Nightclub claiming he was served excessive amounts of alcohol at the establishments that caused him to sustain “life-altering” injuries, including a permanent injury to his left ankle.
The patron, Joamir Vazquez-Rios, filed a 16-page complaint on April 17 against the Center City venues, seeking damages in excess of $50,000.
According to the complaint, on Feb. 2, 2017, Vazquez-Rios was served excessive amounts of alcohol inside Woody’s Bar, 202 S. 13th St. He then walked a few blocks to Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St., where he was served more alcohol.
At Voyeur, he allegedly experienced an unspecified type of accident, causing him to sustain a serious injury to his left ankle.
“By reason of the carelessness, negligence, recklessness and statutory violation of defendants, plaintiff Joamir Vazquez-Rios was caused to sustain serious, debilitating, permanent and life-altering injuries,” according to the complaint.
Woody’s Bar and Voyeur Nightclub could not be reached for comment.
Allegedly, Woody’s and Voyeur failed to train and monitor their employees regarding serving alcohol to visibly-intoxicated patrons and have no policy for ensuring that visibly intoxicated patrons get home safely.
The complaint accuses the establishments of “failing to establish, monitor and administer training programs and operating procedures designed to identify and assist visibly intoxicated patrons,” and goes on to accuse the establishments of “having a policy and practice of continuing to serve persons without adequately checking to see whether the person was in fact intoxicated or exhibited signs of visible intoxication.”
The two businesses are also accused of “having a policy and practice to encourage patrons to continue drinking alcohol after they become visibly intoxicated.”
Moreover, the complaint accuses the establishments of “failing to have a policy and practice of helping visibly intoxicated patrons sober up before exiting the facility,” and “failing to maintain the premises in a safe condition.”
The case, for which a jury trial was requested, has been assigned to Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Arnold L. New. A case-management conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. May 3 in Room 613 of City Hall.