Legal Claims for Failure to Render Aid or Call 911 Promptly in Texas
When you’re injured at a business—whether it’s a nightclub, store, restaurant, or event space—you have the right to expect basic human decency and emergency support. Sadly, some businesses do nothing. They fail to call 911, delay help, or even push victims off their property to avoid liability.
At Williford Law, PLLC, we help injury victims hold these businesses accountable. If you were seriously hurt and staff failed to render aid, call emergency services or alert authorities, you may have a strong civil claim in [City] or anywhere in Texas.
Does a Business Have a Duty to Help?
Yes. Under Texas law, businesses and property owners have a legal duty to act reasonably once someone is injured on their premises, especially if:
- The injury is serious or life-threatening
- Their staff witnessed the incident or were told about it
- The injury occurred due to a dangerous condition on the property
A business may be liable for:
Failure Type | Legal Issue |
Not calling 911 promptly | Negligence, delay in treatment worsens outcome |
Not assisting an injured person | Breach of duty to invitees or patrons |
Forcing a victim to leave the premises | Gross negligence, obstruction of care |
Refusing to allow paramedics access | Liability for interference with emergency care |
Even if the injury wasn’t their fault initially, how the business responds can make things worse and make them legally responsible.
When This Happens
We represent clients in cases involving:
- Nightclubs ejecting bleeding patrons without aid
- Store managers refusing to call 911 for slip-and-fall victims
- Concert venues are delaying their response to trampling or assaults
- Employees watching but not helping someone collapse
- Restaurants discourage staff from calling for help to avoid reports
These actions can worsen outcomes, turning a recoverable injury into a permanent condition or contributing to death.
Legal Grounds for a Lawsuit
Your claim may involve:
- Negligence (failure to take reasonable action)
- Gross negligence (reckless disregard for human life)
- Premises liability (failure to protect invitees on property)
- Wrongful death (when delay or neglect contributed to a fatality)
- Emotional distress (for victims left alone or humiliated)
Texas courts have recognized that delay in medical treatment caused by a business’s inaction can directly lead to liability, especially when the delay contributes to worsened injury or death.
Who May Be Held Liable?
Defendant | Example of Liability |
Business owner | For failure to train or enforce emergency policies |
Store or bar staff | For refusing to call 911 or preventing others from helping |
Security company | For ignoring or refusing to aid injured patrons |
Property manager | If protocols or access issues delay emergency response |
Corporate franchise | If policies deter employees from rendering aid |
We investigate policies, staff training, incident reports, and surveillance footage to prove what should have been done—and when it wasn’t.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
You may be entitled to damages for:
- Emergency medical bills
- Worsened injuries due to delay in treatment
- Ongoing medical care or surgery
- Lost wages or job impact
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death and funeral expenses (if applicable)
We work with medical experts to link the delay in aid to the progression of your injuries, creating a strong foundation for civil recovery.
What to Do If No One Helped You After an Injury
- Document what happened, including what employees or managers did/didn’t do
- Save any video footage, witness names, or messages
- Request a copy of any internal report (if available)
- Get medical care immediately, and keep all records
- Speak with an attorney before talking to insurance or the business
Time is critical, especially if surveillance footage may show delays or refusals to assist.
Why Choose Williford Law?
We take these cases personally. No one deserves to suffer while others stand by and do nothing. At Williford Law, we:
- Move quickly to preserve evidence
- Work with emergency response and medical experts
- Build strong cases showing how delays made injuries worse
- Fight for full compensation, including for emotional trauma and long-term effects
And you don’t pay us unless we win.