Beating victim allegedly suffering from permanent brain damage sues New Orleans club

NEW ORLEANS – A man who claims he was the victim a brutal beating in the French Quarter last year is suing the owners of a parking lot where the alleged beating took place.

Mason Salles filed suit against Jax’s Bistro and Bar LLC, Central Parking Systems Inc., Richard Bienvenu, Brock Miramon and Alexander Riecke in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Jan. 28.

According to the suit, the incident occurred last year in the early morning hours of Jan. 29 as Salles and the defendants were leaving the club. Salles and his friend were walking behind a larger group of people, when an argument began between a man and woman in the group broke out. This argument escalated when the woman got into a parked car and the man tried to pull her out. That is when Salles’ friend tried to intervene and when the attack started. Police records say that Salles was punched in the head, fell to the ground, and blacked out.

As he was lying on the ground the defendants continued to kick and punch him, the suit claims. Salles claims he required immediate and extended hospitalization for bleeding in his brain, three separate jaw fractures and a collapsed nasal cavity.

Richard Bienvenu, Brock Miramon, and Alexander Riecke were all underage at the time of the incident, but had allegedly been served alcoholic beverages at Jax. Criminal court records show that the defendants pled guilty to crimes ranging from simple battery to second degree battery. Riecke and Bienvenu’s punishment included victim restitution.

Jax’s Bistro and Bar is accused of negligence for failing to ensure the defendants were of legal age to enter its premises, for over-serving the defendants alcohol and of failing to protect the plaintiff from patrons of the club.

Jax, the owners of the parking lot, and Central Parking Systems, the managers, are accused of negligence for failing to provide adequate security for its patrons, for failing to provide proper training for bouncers and/or security personnel and for negligently hiring its security personnel and bouncers.

An unspecified amount of damages is sought for past and future medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, permanent brain damage, past and future loss of wages, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of earning capacity.

Salles is represented by Eric A. Bopp of Mandeville.

The case has been assigned to Division D Judge Lloyd J. Medley.

Case No. 2013-00903.