NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A lawsuit filed in Davidson County by a doctor said that after ordering drinks from the bar at Rippy's Bar and Grill violent events that led to bouncers choking him until he was unconscious.
Murfreesboro doctor Donald Mitchell, his wife and friends were at Rippy's Bar and Grill on June 10, 2012 during the CMA Music Fest, when they ordered drinks from the bar instead of their waitress, which is against house rules.
Rippy's attorney, David Lyons, says when a bouncer told them they needed to wrap thing up because they were there too long.
"When the security officer turned around, he heard the comment from Dr. Mitchell table as, 'you better walk away (expletive)'"
According to reports a confrontation started between Dr. Mitchell and bouncer Justin Hightower.
"In the course of that the security officer's shirt was ripped, he was scratched, his neck was scratched, his back was scratched and his arms were scratched by Dr. Mitchell and apparently his wife punched our security officer in the face," said Lyons.
"I believe that it's pretty fair to say they should not be putting people in a choke hold and choking them until they turn purple and go unconscious," said Mitchell's attorney Joey Fuson.
Fuson said his clients are suing for nearly $4.5 million for negligence, plus physical and emotional distress.
"Both suffered physical injuries and both of them have suffered emotional injuries," said Fuson. "It was very traumatic to them and they continue to get treatment for that stuff today."
He said this is the problem people face when security is not properly trained
"Some of these establishments; not all of them but some of them, don't do anything to stop it, but they actually encourage it. They think this is what people come to Broadway to see, the action," said Fuson.
The law suit was filed Wednesday by the Mitchell's attorney names Rippy's and two of the restaurant bouncers as defendants.
All charges against Dr. Mitchell were dismissed by a judge. The suit is a civil suit against RSF Investor, LLC D/B/A Rippy's Bar and Grill and bouncers Joshua Hightower and Justin Shatto.
