Sports Stadium Injury

While watching sports in a stadium can be extremely entertaining, accidents can happen to spectators. These accidents can leave fans with injuries that cost money to treat. Moreover, a sports stadium injury can keep fans from work and rob them of a regular paycheck.

Southern California is home to a number of major and minor league sports teams. From the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball to the National Football League’s Los Angeles Rams, there is plenty of great sports action to watch in stadiums. Not only are there great professional sports teams to watch live, but the area is also home to some of America’s top college athletic programs. The University of Southern California and University of California Los Angeles are all major programs that attract thousands of fans to their sporting events.

Slip-and-Falls

One of the most common accidents that take place at a sports stadium or arena is a slip and fall. Fans going up or down steep stairs can slip, injuring themselves severely. Fans also become injured when they slip and fall in a bathroom or concession areas. These slips are often due to a wet floor surface.

For an injured fan to gain compensation from a fall of this kind, he or she must be able to prove that the stadium’s owner was negligent. The surface on which the fan slipped must have been “unreasonably” slippery, and if that can be proven, then the owner must pay compensation. A mere slip, trip, and fall does not necessarily warrant compensation.

In 2016, the Atlanta Braves were sued by the family of a man who fell to his death at Turner Field from the upper deck. Gregory Murrey fell due to the railing in the upper deck being only 30 inches tall. The industry standard is 42, and the family’s lawsuit holds the Braves negligent in Murrey’s death. Amazingly, three people have died in falls at Turner Field since 2008, and a total of 24 people have fallen to their deaths at MLB stadiums since 1969.

Hit by a Ball

Fans can also be injured at a sporting event by a projectile being sent into the stands. This could be a baseball or bat at a baseball game, or a puck at a hockey game. In April 2017, a Baltimore Orioles fan filed a lawsuit against the team after a bat hit her in the stands. The victim, Patricia Dowdell, suffered a fractured skull, swelling of the brain and permanent damage following the incident. The lawsuit filed by Dowdell’s attorney seeks $75,000 in compensation, which is not much when considering the Orioles are a major sports franchise. Dowdell is also seeking that more protective netting is placed around the stadium to prevent someone else from being hit with a bat.

Assuming Risk

Most sports tickets have a disclaimer printed in small letters on the back that typically states that fans assume the responsibility and risk when attending games. The stadium owner still has the responsibility to try to prevent accidents from occurring, however. Therefore, the Orioles may erect some additional netting down the foul lines to prevent another case like Patricia Dowdell’s from happening.

Flahavan Law Offices

If you or a loved one has experienced an injury from a slip and fall accident at a sporting event, contact Flahavan Law Offices. Flahavan Law Offices specializes in personal injury law and can give you advice on the compensation you deserve. Flahavan Law Offices is here to help with all your personal injury law needs.

Sports Stadium Injury

While watching sports in a stadium can be extremely entertaining, accidents can happen to spectators. These accidents can leave fans with injuries that cost money to treat. Moreover, a sports stadium injury can keep fans from work and rob them of a regular paycheck.

Southern California is home to a number of major and minor league sports teams. From the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball to the National Football League’s Los Angeles Rams, there is plenty of great sports action to watch in stadiums. Not only are there great professional sports teams to watch live, but the area is also home to some of America’s top college athletic programs. The University of Southern California and University of California Los Angeles are all major programs that attract thousands of fans to their sporting events.

Slip-and-Falls

One of the most common accidents that take place at a sports stadium or arena is a slip and fall. Fans going up or down steep stairs can slip, injuring themselves severely. Fans also become injured when they slip and fall in a bathroom or concession areas. These slips are often due to a wet floor surface.

For an injured fan to gain compensation from a fall of this kind, he or she must be able to prove that the stadium’s owner was negligent. The surface on which the fan slipped must have been “unreasonably” slippery, and if that can be proven, then the owner must pay compensation. A mere slip, trip, and fall does not necessarily warrant compensation.

In 2016, the Atlanta Braves were sued by the family of a man who fell to his death at Turner Field from the upper deck. Gregory Murrey fell due to the railing in the upper deck being only 30 inches tall. The industry standard is 42, and the family’s lawsuit holds the Braves negligent in Murrey’s death. Amazingly, three people have died in falls at Turner Field since 2008, and a total of 24 people have fallen to their deaths at MLB stadiums since 1969.

Hit by a Ball

Fans can also be injured at a sporting event by a projectile being sent into the stands. This could be a baseball or bat at a baseball game, or a puck at a hockey game. In April 2017, a Baltimore Orioles fan filed a lawsuit against the team after a bat hit her in the stands. The victim, Patricia Dowdell, suffered a fractured skull, swelling of the brain and permanent damage following the incident. The lawsuit filed by Dowdell’s attorney seeks $75,000 in compensation, which is not much when considering the Orioles are a major sports franchise. Dowdell is also seeking that more protective netting is placed around the stadium to prevent someone else from being hit with a bat.

Assuming Risk

Most sports tickets have a disclaimer printed in small letters on the back that typically states that fans assume the responsibility and risk when attending games. The stadium owner still has the responsibility to try to prevent accidents from occurring, however. Therefore, the Orioles may erect some additional netting down the foul lines to prevent another case like Patricia Dowdell’s from happening.

Flahavan Law Offices

If you or a loved one has experienced an injury from a slip and fall accident at a sporting event, contact Flahavan Law Offices. Flahavan Law Offices specializes in personal injury law and can give you advice on the compensation you deserve. Flahavan Law Offices is here to help with all your personal injury law needs.