Bar manager chokes and punches customer, suit claims

A Madison County woman has filed suit against the bar manager who she says choked her and punched her in the face during an attack.

Danielle E. Wilken claims she was visiting defendant P.J.'s Lounge 19th Hole on May 30, 2008, at about 12:30 a.m. when bar manager and co-defendant Nanette L. Dunn assaulted, beat and battered her.

"Defendant Nanette L. Dunn caused injury to the Plaintiff by grabbing Plaintiff by the hair of her head, choked her by the throat, punched her in the face and slammed her head on the floor several times," the suit filed May 28 in Madison County Circuit Court states.

Because of the attack, Wilken suffered bodily injury, pain, disability and mental anguish; lost her capacity to enjoy life; incurred medical costs; and lost earnings, according to the complaint.

She names P.J.'s Lounge as a defendant because it failed to check references, criminal records or general background information before it hired Dunn; failed to provide adequate supervision of the activities taking place on its premises; failed to reasonably anticipate a criminal attack; failed to take any reasonable steps to deter Dunn's behavior; and failed to intervene in the attack after it started but before Wilken was injured, the complaint says.

In her six-count complaint, Wilken seeks a judgment of more than $300,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Randy L. Gori and Sara M. Salger of Gori, Julian and Associates in Edwardsvile will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-572.