Common Reasons Restaurant Owners are Sued

Lawsuits are costly and time-consuming. No business owner wants to deal with the stress and negative publicity of having to defend their company in court. The fact is, however, that most lawsuits can be avoided. Many of them stem from improper or inadequate insurance coverage.

In the past, both employees and customers have instigated legal action against their workplaces or the businesses they frequent. Thankfully, there are ways to safeguard your company from a variety of scenarios. In this article, we focus on the most common reasons restaurant owners are sued, and what you can do to prevent and/or navigate such a situation.

Customer Concern

Bar and tavern owners will attest that the industry can be prone to accidents and liability. This ranges from slip and fall incidents, to patron altercations (bar fights), employee disagreements, and more.

In addition, serving alcohol to a minor or over-serving a visibly-intoxicated customer are scenarios that can easily result in legal action. Bars and taverns that serve food must also contend with the possibility of accidental food poisoning.

Given this potential for business disaster, it’s essential to secure thorough bar and tavern insurance to protect your establishment. A friendly and knowledgeable insurance professional can help you determine ideal coverage solutions for your unique requirements.

Employee Confusion

The fast-paced nature of daily bar and tavern operation can create confusing and/or unclear situations. Along with implementing detailed employee procedures, it’s important to protect your business with adequate insurance coverage in the event of an incident.

For instance, all bars and taverns benefit from comprehensive fire protection insurance. This is all the more important in older establishments. Also, there are times when employee error and/or confusion can quickly escalate a situation. Fires quickly spread and can cause extensive damage in just minutes.

In addition, there’s a fine line between jovial interaction and unruly behavior. Some employees are unable to make that distinction. If one guest becomes injured by another, your business could be held liable.

There are also a variety of unforeseen and potentially unavoidable situations, such as theft, vandalism, negative effects of severe weather, and more. All of these examples demonstrate why making restaurant insurance a priority is paramount to the continued growth and success of your bar or tavern. 

Hazardous Conditions

Television programs such as Bar Rescue and similar shows have proven the importance of cleanliness and proper maintenance. For example, grease fires are an unfortunate common occurrence in restaurants across the country. In addition, improper food safety and cleaning procedures contribute to food poisoning and sickened guests.

Highly-intoxicated guests are often liable to fall or otherwise injure themselves. In addition, the threat of violent interpersonal altercation is heightened in this environment. That’s why, in addition to solid legal representation, it’s paramount to secure comprehensive insurance coverage and put in place detailed policies and procedures. 

Inadequate or Improper Insurance Coverage

In fact, not doing so can have long-lasting complications. Legal fees and judgements can be financially-crippling to many bars and taverns. On the other hand, lack of proper coverage can cost you patrons and employees. Avoid such unpleasant scenarios by working with a trusted and reputable firm that can assist you in implementing insurance solutions that fully protect your business assets.

For years, we’ve helped countless Florida companies secure essential insurance protection. Along with bar and tavern insurance, we also offer fire protection insurance, business insurance, and more. In addition, we can help you update your church insurance policy for maximum protection. Contact us today to begin or upgrade your insurance coverage.