Retail Management Expert Evaluates Assault by Intoxicated Customer

Case Overview

This security management case involves a customer at a big box retail store who was attacked by an intoxicated individual inside the store, which resulted in severe injuries. At the time of the incident in question, the plaintiff was shopping in the grocery section of the store when her attacker began to follow her around the store, shouting obscenities. One of the store employees began to follow the pair as well, as was a security guard from an outside firm that had been contracted by the store to provide security services. The plaintiff attempted to run from the intoxicated individual, at which point he attacked her, causing serious injuries. The security guard did not intervene during the attack. It was claimed that store employees did not do enough to prevent the attack.