Who Is Responsible For Injuries At Sporting Events And Concerts?

Attending any crowded event carries with it the potential risk of injury. Although concerts and sporting events are meant to be fun and enjoyable experiences, when you’re in a large crowd, the chances of being harmed in accidents resulting from the negligence of others increases. Add in alcohol and other such factors, and acts of violence also become potential threats.

You’ll hopefully never be injured as a result of someone else’s actions or negligence while attending a sporting event, concert, or other such event. However, if this does happen, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your medical bills and other such losses resulting from your injuries.

You need to know who is responsible for said injuries in order to pursue the compensation you may deserve. The following guide will explain who the liable parties may be in these circumstances.

How You May Be Injured at a Concert or Sporting Event

There are various potential ways you might be harmed while attending a crowded public event. The following are a few noteworthy examples:

An intoxicated, aggressive, or otherwise unruly individual begins acting violently, something that can occur at sporting events due to the naturally competitive nature of sports matches.

You’re injured because the owners of the property failed to address hazardous conditions, such as broken flooring, faulty electrical wiring, damaged stairs, or any other such hazards.

You’re injured due to being trampled or otherwise harmed in a large crowd.

Again, that’s not an exhaustive list. Regardless of how you sustain injuries at a sports match or concert, said injuries may require costly medical treatment. They may also prevent you from being able to do your job. If you can’t work, even if the situation is only temporary, paying for your medical care may be even more challenging than it already is.

Some injuries sustained at crowded events can even leave you facing long-term pain and suffering. Unlike your medical bills and lost wages, a non-economic loss such as this one has now specific dollar value. You may nevertheless still deserve compensation for it.

Determining Liability When You’ve Been Injured at a Concert or Sporting Event

When you’re injured as a result of someone else’s negligence in Massachusetts, you can typically seek compensation by filing a claim with the negligent party’s insurance. To initiate the process, however, you must accurately identify the negligent party.

The negligent party in these circumstances is often the owners of the venue. Under premises liability laws, the venue’s owners have a legal responsibility to keep guests like yourself out of harm’s way. They may fulfill this responsibility by (among other tasks):

Installing proper lighting so visibility factors don’t cause accidents

Employing necessary security measures to keep dangerous individuals out

Adhering to maintenance protocols to ensure the facilities are in proper condition

Training employees to address potential hazards (such as spills) in a timely manner

It’s possible you’ve been injured because the owners of the venue didn’t take one or more of the above steps. That said, depending on the exact circumstances of your accident, it’s possible that the insurance company may try to suggest you don’t deserve any compensation.

How Assumed Risk May Affect Your Case

The legal principle of assumed risk states that sometimes individuals may knowingly put themselves in situations that carry the potential risk of injury. For example, when you attend a hockey match, if you’re seated close enough to the ice, you know there’s technically the possibility of a stray puck flying into the crowd and striking you.

If you were to be injured in such an accident because a net or other such protective feature failed or hadn’t been installed in the first place, you might have a viable claim. On the other hand, if you were injured by a stray puck in a random accident that didn’t result from anyone’s negligence, the insurance company could argue that you aren’t eligible for compensation.

This highlights the importance of reviewing your case with an attorney if you’ve been injured at a concert, sporting event, or other such event. At Swartz & Swartz, P.C., a Boston premises liability lawyer will review your case for free, explaining your legal options based on our thorough understanding of relevant Massachusetts laws. If we agree to work together, our team is prepared to offer the aggressive representation you deserve. Learn more about what we can do for you by contacting us online or calling us at (617) 742-1900 today.

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If you or someone you know, needs help from a lawyer, contact the law offices of Swartz & Swartz, use our live chat, or send us a message using the form below and we’ll get in touch to assess your case and how we can help.