Trial Magazine

Marcus Williams, 27, went to the Prime 112 restaurant. After exiting his vehicle in the restaurant’s valet area, he noticed a group of people yelling at other members of his party. The group used racial slurs and threatening language, prompting Williams to look to restaurant employees for help. An unidentified assailant then shot Williams in the back of the neck, causing injuries that resulted in quadriplegia. His medical expenses were over $500,000.

Williams and his three minor children sued Prime 112 and the Myles Restaurant Group, alleging that the defendants failed to have private security at the restaurant. Suit also asserted that the defendants had failed to train their employees to respond to altercations involving their patrons. The defense argued that private security was not needed at the restaurant and that no previous events had occurred that would have necessitated security.

The parties settled for $12 million.

Citation: Williams v. Prime 112, No. 2021-022976-CA-01 (Fla. Cir. Ct. Dade Cnty. Nov. 17, 2022).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Michael Haggard and Adam Finkel, both of Coral Gables, Fla.