I want to know what recourse I have.

[sikofitall]

I was sitting at a table in the bar in Michigan talking to a friend when a drunk (Bill) came over and sat down beside her. I observed as she pushed his hand from her leg repeatedly. I heard him tell her, “your old man will be busy for quite a while,” since he was running the karaoke entertainment. He made other similar statements as well. She continued to push his hand away, and told him many times to go find someone else.

After several minutes, I stood up and told him that she was not interested and he should go away from our table. At this point, the other drunk with him (his brother I think) came over and got in my face. He told me to sit down and mind my own business. I told him that it was my business when someone bothers my family or friends.

The first drunk (Bill) then took two steps toward me and struck me in the face with his elbow. The bartender came immediately over to the table and escorted them back to their seats while waiting for the owner to come downstairs.

The owner (a friend of the drunks) sat at the bar and spoke to them for a while then stayed in the bar until we had left. Although several other customers informed the owner of what had happened, he simply stated that his friend said he bumped me. He remarked that I was making to big of a deal of it all.

I have six witnesses who can verify that he intentionally struck me with his elbow. Even though he left no visible marks, it hurt when he struck me. I don’t believe that he should be allowed to bully women just because he is larger and stronger than they are. Additionally, I do not feel that being friends with the owner is an excuse for getting away with such behavior.

I want to know what recourse I have.

 

[Boxcarbill]

Stay out of bars.

 

[Beth3]

You can contact the police and file criminal charges. You can sue the drunken elbower for any actual damages you had, such as your medical bills, but it doesn't sound like you had any. That's it. You can't make the bar owner pick better friends or get the owner to ban them from his establishment. Your other and quite probably best option is to pick another watering hole for you and your friends to congregate in that has a better class of clientele.

 

[sikofitall]

Stay out of bars.

You sound like a typical male trying to put the women "in their place"

 

[Boxcarbill]

You sound like a typical male trying to put the women "in their place"

Ah, if you only knew to whom you speak! But, pray tell what does my suggesting that you stay out of bars have to do with women or where a woman's place may or may not be? Unless, of course, you are a woman.