Inn Between Tavern sued by patron who was attacked

A man claims two patrons of a Granite City bar attacked and beat him without provocation.

Michael E. Baugus filed a lawsuit Jan. 6 in Madison County Circuit Court against Inn Between Tavern, Larry Lowe, Ruth Lowe, Bobby D. Hoese and Dennis M. Barbee.

Baugus claims he visited Inn Between Tavern on Jan. 7, 2009.

While Baugus sat at the establishment, he noticed Hoese drinking alcoholic beverages provided by Inn Between Tavern employees, according to the complaint. Eventually, Hoese became intoxicated, then he and Barbee attacked and beat Baugus without provocation, the suit states.

Because of the attack, Baugus suffered severe and permanent injuries, became hindered from attending to his usual activities and lost the value of his time, the complaint says. In addition, he claims he suffered great pain and anguish and incurred medical costs.

Baugus names Larry and Ruth Lowe as defendants in the complaint because they owned the Inn Between Tavern and permitted the sale of liquor at the establishment, according to the complaint.

Employees at Inn Between Tavern negligently failed to timely contact police, failed to intervene in the attack to minimize harm to Baugus, failed to protect against the misconduct of a third party, improperly controlled the premises so that Baugus was injured, failed to provide adequate personnel to protect against the attack, failed to properly protect those on the premises who exhibited aggressive behavior and failed to remove Hoese and Baugus from the premises after it became clear that they posed a threat of violence, the suit states.

In the eight-count suit, Baugus seeks a judgment of more than $400,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Ronald J. Foster Jr. of Schoen, Walton, Telken and Foster in East St. Louis will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-7.