Security guards play an important role at locations such as nightclubs and sports complexes throughout the nation. They are there to keep patrons safe from anything that could pose a risk to their safety while they are visitors to the locations. Most make it through their shifts unscathed, with little or no problems. On some occasions however, issues do arise which could lead to a security guard suffering an injury.

This was the case for a security guard working at a baseball park located in Western Pennsylvania last spring. The man was injured while he tried to remove a 21-year-old woman from PNC Park. As he attempted to escort her out, the woman, along with her 51-year-old, father allegedly attacked the security guard. This led to the guard's finger nearly completely detaching from his hand when it got caught in a fence.

After the incident the security guard was taken to an area hospital where surgeons were able to reattach his finger.

While it is not clear, it is possible that the security guard may have been able to obtain workers' compensation benefits while he healed from his injuries. In addition, the man could pursue monetary damages via a personal injury lawsuit against the father and daughter whose behavior led to the injury.

The woman and her father faced criminal charges related to the incident. Among other things, both recently plead guilty to misdemeanor simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. The woman will face 30 days of house arrest along with probation. Her father has only been placed on probation.

Source: Lewistown Sentinel , "2 plead guilty in PNC Park scuffle that hurt guard," Associated Press, Feb. 27, 2013

• Workers' compensation cases are often complex. Our firm provides counsel in these types of matters. If you would like to learn more about our practice, please visit our Pennsylvania workers' compensation page.