San Diego, CA - GNC Employee Wounded After Being Stabbed Trying to Stop Theft at Westfield UTC Mall

Store Employee Stabbed During Robbery

According to Fox 5 San Diego, a store employee was stabbed at the GNC inside the Westfield UTC Mall located at 4545 La Jolla Village Dr. E-5, San Diego, CA 92122. 

At around 6 p.m., an employee at the GNC vitamin and supplements shop was stabbed as they attempted to stop a thief. Police say the thief initially got into an argument with the worker over a return before grabbing an item and leaving the store. The thief dropped the item as the employee ran after them. He then stabbed the employee multiple times in the back before picking the stolen item up and running off. 

The victim was taken to the hospital with multiple stab wounds. Their condition was listed as "pending."

Filing Lawsuits For Victims of Stabbings

Attorney contributor Bobby Thompson fights for justice for victims of violent crime, like stabbings. He recently shared some information on the legal options available to victims stabbed on commercial property.

"Commercial property owners, such as vendors inside a shopping mall, have a legal responsibility to provide a safe shopping environment for their customers as well as their employees. This may include well-lit parking lots, working security cameras, and patrolling security officers. If a violent crime occurs on the property and the owner failed to provide adequate security, they could be liable due to their negligence."

"Victims may have two options for obtaining compensation after a stabbing injury. The first option is through the criminal justice system. This would be viable if the perpetrator was arrested and charged. Upon conviction and sentencing of the crime committed, restitution can be awarded. Secondly, the victim may have grounds to file a civil suit against the store owner if their security measures were found to be negligent. The victim's attorney will need to prove the crime was foreseeable. If the general area or store had prior incidents of violence and the owner failed to up its security, the crime could be deemed foreseeable. Victims should go over their case with an experienced stabbing victim attorney to decide their best choice of legal action."

Sources:

Fox 5 San Diego