Well, this had to happen sooner or later. For those whose memories have lapsed, back in June, there was a fight between Drake and Chris Brown's posses in the middle of the W.i.P. nightclub in Manhattan. Bottles were tossed, lacerations were suffered by many, and of course, lawsuits were filed by the patrons, including NBA All-Star Tony Parker, who had a shard of glass penetrate his eye.
Though accounts still vary widely as to the cause and catalysts of the fight, the club lost their liquor license and is now suing Chris Brown and Drake for their part in the pandemonium, reports NBC New York.
The suit, filed by Endless Entertainment, which owns both W.i.P. and the adjoining club, Greenhouse, is seeking $16 million in damages. Though that number might sound excessive, and it certainly might be excessive, if the club's allegations are true, they lost out on a $4 million licensing deal after the brawl.
Whether or not you agree with the amount of damages sought, you'll have to agree that the author of the complaint was a poet:
The duo allegedly "fashioned deadly weapons out of whatever materials they could find, including glasses, alcohol, bottles and furniture."
"Terrorized patrons ran for cover but found none... . Instead, they duck(ed) behind each other, using banquettes and tables as improvised shields."
These descriptions, and others quoted by the Daily News illustrate a scene more reminiscent of a World War II bombing of a major city than a bottle fight.
Well done, counsel.
The rest of the club's damages come from the damage to its business and reputation in the aftermath of the brawl. According to the suit, the value of their brand has gone from a lucratively popular club to being worthless because it is "associated with the kind of violent, life threatening riot engaged in by the defendants."
Getting damages for lost business is always an interesting feat in court. W.i.P. will have to show, not only that they were making good money, but that it was sustainable. In a place like Manhattan, where a club is "the place" one week and is shuttered two weeks later, that could prove to be difficult.
Related Resources:
- Speak to a New York Personal Injury Attorney (FindLaw)
- Ask A Question About Personal Injury Now (FindLaw Answers)
- Broken Bottles and Bloody Chins: Drake, Brown to be Sued? (FindLaw's New York Personal Injury Law Blog)
- Chris Brown, Drake Sued for Nightclub Brawl (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
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