Stadium and Theater Accidents

Event attendance has always been a draw for South Florida residents and tourists alike. Whether you want to watch the Miami Marlins, Heat, or Dolphins, or catch your favorite band, these activities are an exciting way to spend weekends and entertain out-of-town guests. However, we expect these facilities to maintain a safe environment for everyone to enjoy. If owners or operators fail to take reasonable steps to keep us out of danger, they should be held accountable for any harm that results. The Miami premises liability attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon assist victims of stadium and theater accidents throughout South Florida in pursuing legal claims.

When you are visiting a venue, either for a sporting event or for another type of activity, encountering a hazard is not usually on your mind. Ticketed events often include disclaimers either upon purchase, printed on the back of a ticket, or posted somewhere in the venue to warn spectators of possible harm. Sometimes these disclaimers are effective and sufficient to protect the owners or operators from liability in case of an accident. However, sometimes these venues fail to provide sufficient warnings or do not have proper protocols in place to avoid foreseeable harm. Some common sources of injuries at a stadium or theater include:

• Safety Code violations
• Inadequate lighting
• Insufficient security protocols
• Fire hazards
• Alcohol-related incidents and crowd control issues
• Elevator and escalator accidents
• Slip and fall accidents near concessions

If you have been injured at a stadium or theater, seeking immediate medical help is the most important first step, followed by taking pictures of the scene and speaking with witnesses, if possible.

Many different parties may be involved in maintaining the safety of a stadium or theater, but generally, a property’s owner is responsible for ensuring that proper measures are in place to prevent dangerous conditions to the extent possible. Venue owners, operators, and leasing companies, as well as their employees, are required to conduct regular inspections. This inspection requirement applies not only to the stadium or theater itself but also to exterior areas, such as parking lots, sidewalks, and stairways. An owner that fails to fix dangerous conditions or warn patrons of their existence may be held liable for the injuries that result in a claim alleging premises liability.

To succeed in a premises liability lawsuit, a victim must show that the dangerous condition that caused his or her injury was known to the defendant property owner, or that it should have been known. For instance, if a venue has a continuing practice of leaving spills unattended or fails to fix broken lights in its parking lot, leading to a significant injury, an owner may be held responsible. If the elements of a claim are established, a victim may receive compensation for past and future medical bills, loss of income and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and any other costs related to the accident.

Obtaining experienced legal guidance after a venue-related accident may help make sure that your legal rights are protected. The Miami premises liability lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon offer dedicated representation for victims of a property owner’s negligence. We assist people in Miami, West Palm Beach, and other cities in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. Call 877.499.4878 or contact us online to set up a free, no-obligation consultation with a slip and fall attorney.