Injuries Caused by Security Guards, Bouncers, and TSA

Security guards, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents, and bouncers often find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to properly doing their job while maintaining a sense of decency and respect for the people they are marshaling. Sometimes, whether it was their intention or not, TSA agents, security guards, and bouncers cause serious injuries during pat downs, while blocking people from entering, or while ushering allegedly unruly patrons outside.

Man Injured by Aggressive Pat Down at Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Recently at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, a man trying to catch a flight was patted down so aggressively in his groin while going through security that he has claimed that surgery is necessary to fix the problem. According to the man, “I see a urologist once or twice a month. I’m still in pain—I still have issues with bleeding,” as reported by NBC Chicago News. The man was subjected to further abuse when he was delayed from boarding his plane, threatened with a strip search, and patted down once more before he was allowed to leave the airport—all for demanding to speak with the TSA agent’s supervisor. This type of aggressive handling could increase in the years to come, as the Seattle Times reports that the TSA is just now creating a secret list of difficult travelers. Being put on this list is as easy as swatting away a TSA agent’s hand or appearing otherwise unruly.

Filing a Claim Against a Security Guard or Bouncer

In order to file a personal injury claim against a TSA agent, security guard, or bouncer, there must be evidence of the three following circumstances:

• You suffered damages due to physical injury or harm;
• The defendant (security guard, TSA agent, or bouncer) caused the injury; and
• The defendant breached their duty of care.

This last one, breach of duty, can be complicated to prove, because security personnel have a duty to protect all invitees (potentially against other drunk patrons or terrorists, for example) as well as exercise a reasonable amount of care to all of their invitees while doing so.

Call a Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawyer Today for Guidance

It can be very difficult to win a personal injury claim against a defendant who works in security enforcement due to the nature of their position and the potential allegations that will be made against you for allegedly causing the disturbance, overreacting, or somehow being in the wrong in another manner. As such, it is in your best interests to reach out to an attorney for help with your case. Call the experienced Wisconsin lawyers of Novitzke, Gust, Sempf, Whitley & Bergmanis for aggressive legal representation today to discuss your claim.