LANCASTER — A guest at a Lancaster club who was allegedly knocked unconscious by an intoxicated club member and suffered bleeding in his brain and other injuries is claiming the club's negligence caused the incident.
John N. Ackerman, III filed a complaint July 13 in the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County against The Alert Club Inc., alleging negligence and other claims.
According to his complaint, Ackerman was at The Alert Club on Crystal Street in Lancaster as an invited guest on July 26, 2019. He alleges that one of the club members, Matthew Gibson, was already at the club and had been served alcoholic beverages from approximately 9:30 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. and had also been at another bar prior to arriving at the club.
Ackerman further alleges The Alert Club bartender continued to serve Gibson, despite him showing signs of being intoxicated, including having "glazed/bloodshot eyes, unsteady gait, flushed face, loud speech and crude and aggressive behavior."
Ackerman claims that Gibson then left the club and returned in an intoxicated and "overly agitated state" and began to confront him. He alleges that Gibson "violently" struck him in the face, knocked him unconscious and caused him to be hospitalized for days with a traumatic subdural hematoma, intracranial bleeding, a mandibular parasymphsis fracture, concussion and lost teeth.
Ackerman further alleges he continues to suffer complications such as seizures, migraines, memory loss, and loss of dexterity. Ackerman claims The Alert Club's negligence for serving alcohol to Gibson, who was known for his aggressive behavior, while who visibly intoxicated.
Ackerman seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Robin Jabour of Atlee Hall LLP in Lancaster.
Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County case number CI-21-04698