Legal Question in Personal Injury in California

Should I even file a police report?

I had an incident occur at a local movie theater. What happened was that I wanted to pop my head into the exit door to let my friend know I was waiting for her outside. All of a sudden two African-American men stoped me at the door. One grabed my arms and shoved me out of the doorway, he didn't let go of my arms for quite some time. The other guard blocked the door as well. They never identified themselves as private security guards. The one who grabbed my arms (enough to make them red) was "man-handling" me. I asked them who they thought they were touching that way. No response. All I got was "get out of here, and go the other way."

I am very upset by this whole situation. I believe even if I was at fault, those security guards have no right to touch me the way they did. Also, once I got back into the theatre and attempted to get some responses from those security guards, one told me if I touched him again, "you will get it!"

I am thinking of pressing charges, do I have any ground to stand on when it comes to this situation. Should I file a police report?

Sincerely

-m


Asked on 4/08/00, 3:57 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Hayes The John Hayes Law Offices

Re: Should I even file a police report?

These men should have identified themselves to you as security at the very least and when they threatened to physically assault you they crossed the line. I would recommend that you contact the local police department and file a report for assault against the theatre and its employees becuase what they did and what they said is illegal. You cannot threaten someone with physical harm. I would also write a letter to the owner or manager of the theatre and explain what happened and that you have filed a police report. If you don't receive any apology or response, and this is really bothering you, should sue the theatre in small claims court for assault,harassment and making threats. It will only cost you about $50 and you may get monetary or punitive damages. At the very least, the theatre should send you some free tickets and fire the two men who attacked you. Good luck.

Sincerely,

John Hayes, Esq.

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Answered on 4/21/00, 1:59 am


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