Attending a sporting event can be a fun experience, filled with excitement and intense moments. However, these events can also pose risks of injury to spectators. Whether you’re watching a football game, a baseball match or a motorsport race, accidents can happen. Here’s what you need to know to protect your rights.

What to do after an injury

Here are the steps you should take after an accident:

• Seek medical help: If you are injured, seek medical attention immediately. Even if the injury seems minor, have a healthcare professional evaluate your condition to prevent any potential complications.
• Report the incident: Notify event staff, security personnel or medical teams on-site about the injury. Ensure that the incident is documented, including the time, location and circumstances of the accident. This documentation will be crucial if you decide to pursue a legal claim.
• Gather evidence: Collect as much evidence as possible. Take photos or videos of the accident scene, your injuries and any potential hazards that contributed to the incident. If there were witnesses, ask for their contact information and request statements about what they saw.
• Keep records: Maintain detailed records of all medical treatments, expenses and any correspondence related to the injury. This includes medical bills, prescriptions and communications with event organizers or insurance companies.

Who’s responsible for your injuries?

Here are the most common types of injuries at sporting events and who might be held accountable:

• Slip and fall accidents: Slip and fall accidents are common at sporting events due to spilled drinks, wet floors or uneven surfaces. The stadium or venue owner may be liable if they failed to maintain safe conditions or did not address known hazards promptly.
• Flying objects: Injuries caused by flying objects, such as baseballs, hockey pucks or debris from motorsports, are also common. While many venues have protective measures like netting or barriers, accidents can still happen. Determining liability can be complex. Some courts recognize the “assumption of risk” doctrine, where spectators accept the inherent risks of attending such events.
• Crowd-related injuries: Injuries resulting from overcrowding, stampedes or unruly behavior can occur at highly attended events. The event organizers and venue operators have a duty to provide adequate security and crowd control measures.
• Structural failures: Injuries caused by structural failures, such as collapsing bleachers, falling signs or faulty railings, can be severe. In these cases, the venue owner, construction companies or maintenance contractors may be held accountable.
• Inadequate security: If you are injured due to violent behavior, assault or other criminal activities at the event, inadequate security might be to blame. Event organizers and venue owners are responsible for providing a safe environment for spectators. If they failed to implement sufficient security measures, they could be liable for resulting injuries.

Discuss your accident claim with a Columbus personal injury lawyer right away

The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your sporting event accident claim. When you’re the victim of negligence or recklessness, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (877) 614-9524 so that I can evaluate your case right away.