A North Texas teenager has filed a lawsuit against a downtown Dallas nightclub and its owner, alleging negligence that led to her sexual assault in a bathroom, according to Charla Aldous of Aldous \ Walker LLP, representing the victim.

Allegations and Consequences

The incident at Club VIVO on December 3 last year has had profound and lasting effects on the 18-year-old college student’s life, Aldous stated. The young woman, described as a full scholarship athlete at a reputable university, has since dropped out of school due to the trauma inflicted upon her.

According to Aldous, despite being underage and marked with an X on her hands to indicate her age, the teenager was served alcohol at the club. This led to her becoming intoxicated, after which she was allegedly violently assaulted by a patron who dragged her upstairs and raped her. The victim managed to alert a friend via text, who in turn notified the club’s security. However, the response from the security personnel was reportedly inadequate. It was the friend who ultimately called 911, leading to the teenager being transported to a hospital by ambulance.

Legal and Regulatory Responses

Dallas police confirmed an ongoing investigation into the incident, noting that a male suspect allegedly sexually assaulted a victim at Club VIVO. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) was also notified and conducted its investigation. Chris Porter, a spokesperson for TABC, indicated that while the club failed to report the incident within the required timeframe, their investigation did not find evidence of the club knowingly permitting such activities. Porter emphasized that the investigation remains open pending further developments from the criminal investigation or civil suit.

Seeking Accountability and Closure

The teenager’s lawsuit seeks accountability from the nightclub and its owner for the alleged negligence that facilitated the assault. Aldous expressed her intent for the legal action to prompt improvements in the club’s practices and safety protocols.

“It’s just horrible, and I want them to clean up their act,” Aldous emphasized, highlighting the importance of holding establishments accountable for maintaining a safe environment for patrons, particularly young adults vulnerable to such incidents. This lawsuit underscores the serious repercussions of alleged negligence in nightlife environments and the pursuit of justice for victims of such traumatic incidents.