Woman sues for injuries in S. Elgin karaoke bar brawl

A Colorado woman has sued a South Elgin bar owner, arguing the owner was negligent when hiring a man with a criminal past to host a karaoke event in September 2011 that ended in a brawl.

In the lawsuit, recently filed in Kane County, Kim Nelson argues she was injured when the man got mad, threw a bar stool and started a large brawl. The suit argues Tami Hall, the owner of The Last Shot Bar and Grill, was negligent for not checking the man’s background nor having adequate security.

According to the lawsuit, Nelson was in town visiting family and friends when she went to a karaoke event Sept. 23, 2011, at the former bar, 812 N. La Fox St.

Hall, who was present for the event, hired Russell M. Stadler II of Elgin to host the event but did not do a background check and should have known about his “propensity toward physical aggression,” the suit claims.

“At some point during the evening of the karaoke event, Mr. Stadler became angry, picked up a bar stool over his head, and hurled the bar stool across the bar toward Ms. Nelson’s group,” according to the lawsuit.

“The bar stool lacerated Ms. Nelson’s face above her lip and she was knocked to the ground. Following Mr. Stadler’s action, a massive brawl broke out in the packed bar. Still lying on the ground from the bar stool blow, Ms. Nelson was trampled and stepped on by patrons involved in the brawl.”

Stadler is not a defendant in the lawsuit.

Phone messages left for Courtney Goldsworthy and Alexis Hawker, attorneys listed in the lawsuit as representing Nelson, were not returned.

Stadler, 36, of the 500 block of Thorndale Drive, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor battery for throwing the bar stool, according to Kane County court records. However, neither of the charges accused him of injuring Nelson.

Records show one of the counts was dismissed in February 2012. Stadler pleaded guilty to the other count and received supervision. An arrest warrant was issued after he failed to appear in court in January and April this year for follow-up court dates, records show.

Efforts to reach Hall were not successful. The bar has since closed.

Nelson’s lawsuit seeks more than $50,000 damages. The case is due in court Nov. 14.