Premises Liability at Football Games

Every visit to a football game should be filled with camaraderie and cheers rather than accidents and injuries. However, suppose you do find yourself injured during your time at such sporting events. In that case, it’s important to understand the role of premises liability in these scenarios and learn what your legal rights are.

What is Premises Liability?

Premises liability refers to the legal principle that property owners, and in some cases occupants, are liable for accidents and injuries that occur on their premises. When areas aren’t kept safe or visitors are not properly warned about potential dangers, responsible parties may be required to compensate the injured party. If you’re injured at a football game, it’s possible that it will fall under premises liability.

Common Injuries Occurring at Football Games

Aside from the intense action on the field, attending a football game can come with its own set of risks for spectators. Some common types of injuries at football games for people in the stands can include the following:

Slips and Falls

With food, drinks, and large crowds, it’s not surprising that slip and fall accidents are common at football games. Whether due to spilled drinks, loose or wet stairs, or even crowded aisles, such incidents can result in anything from minor bumps and bruises to serious fractures or sprains.

Fights

Fights among spectators, often fueled by high emotions and alcohol consumption, can lead to harmful outcomes like bruises, concussions, or even more serious injuries.

Being Trampled On

In the chaos of crowds, particularly in moments of excitement or panic, being trampled on is a very real possibility. This can result in severe injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and even fatalities.

Inadequate Security Measures and Personnel

Inadequate security significantly heightens the risk of these injuries at football games. Safety personnel are significant in controlling brawls, watching out for dangerous circumstances, and assisting spectators during emergencies. When adequate security isn’t present or procedures aren’t correctly followed, innocent bystanders could fall victim to avoidable harm and serious injuries.

Who is Liable For Injuries That Occur at a Football Game?

Evaluating who bears liability for injuries occurring at a football game can be complicated, as there are a lot of factors. However, the following are some of the possible parties that might be held accountable:

Stadium Owners and Operators

Stadium owners and operators are often at the top of the list. It’s their responsibility to make sure that the premises where football games take place are safe, secure, and well-maintained. They generally must address any known dangers or hazardous conditions within their property and notify spectators of any dangers that haven’t been fixed. If there has been negligence in fulfilling these tasks and it leads to an accident, they could potentially be held liable for injuries.

Manufacturers of Faulty Equipment or Products

In some cases, there are injuries due to inherently faulty products like structural deficiencies in seats. When this occurs, product liability laws might come into play, which allow you to hold a manufacturer responsible for your injuries.

Other Spectators

Sometimes spectators themselves can be a source of harm. With the emotional intensity and crowded atmosphere at football games, reckless behaviors from other attendees like instigating fights or throwing objects can cause injuries. It’s not only intentional conduct like fighting – negligent behavior can lead to liability also.

Players, Coaches, Staff

There may be situations involving the misconduct of a player, coach, or staff member which lead to spectator injuries. While significantly rarer than the others on this list, if an individual participating in the game acts recklessly beyond normal practices and expectations of the sport causing harm to spectators in the process, they could face legal liability.

Securing compensation for injuries sustained at a football game can be both complex and challenging due to the intricacies of premises liability laws. Knowing your rights is key to ensuring you’re adequately compensated for any harm done. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury at such an event, don’t hesitate in seeking legal counsel. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers in Savannah.