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Chicago and its surrounding area are home to multiple arenas and sports stadiums that are host to events on a regular basis throughout the entire year. Millions of people visit venues such as Soldier Field, US Cellular and Wrigley Field, the United Center and Allstate Arena to enjoy sporting events, concerts and other forms of entertainment.
Nobody anticipates that he or she will be injured at an event, but accidents occur on occasion due to the negligence of venue staff or the failure to provide a safe environment for fans and spectators. If you have been injured at an event, it is quite possible that you may be entitled to compensation despite any waivers you may have agreed to by purchasing your tickets.
Understanding Assumption of Risk at Public Arenas
Assumption of risk is the method by which entertainment venues and arenas are protected from frivolous lawsuits and petty claims. Whenever you purchase a ticket to a concert, sporting event or a show, you assume liability if you are injured while arriving to, during or leaving the event. Many people are deterred from filing lawsuits when they are injured because of this legal doctrine but this is simply because it is misunderstood.
There are exceptions to assumption of risk that include negligence on part of venue staff members, the failure to address safety concerns and the failure to perform routine or required maintenance. If your injury was the result of negligence, you may still be able to file a lawsuit and should discuss your rights with a personal injury lawyer to determine whether it is in your best interests to sue for damages.
What Qualifies as Negligence When You Are Injured at a Stadium or Concert Venue?
The following scenarios are just a few examples in which the negligence of an arena or stadium’s ownership or staff members may result in injuries for which they may be held liable.
- Inadequate security staff is provided. This may result in injuries from physical assaults, being trampled when crowds get out of control, failure to enforce dram shop laws or sexual assault. It is the responsibility of every venue to provide adequate security in order to ensure the safety of spectators.
- Poorly maintained premises result in injuries. Examples include guard rails that are loose or fail, malfunctioning escalators, and conditions that present slip, trip or fall hazards. Maintaining the premises includes marking hazards with warning signs and ensuring that visitors have access to proper lighting conditions.
- Unsanitary conditions resulting in food poisoning. Vendors, venue management and the venue ownership may be liable if spectators contract illnesses from the food they are served or are hospitalized for food poisoning.
- Parking lot accidents resulting from poorly managed lots or lack of an adequate number of staff members may result in both parking lot auto accidents or falls. Venue owners are responsible for ensuring that spectators are able to arrive and leave the premises safely and if injuries result from poor lot conditions or lack of traffic control, the venue can be held liable.
If you have been injured at an event and it is determined that the incident was the result of negligence on part of venue staff or ownership, you may be entitled to recover compensation for the payment of your medical bills, income lost from inability to work while injured, pain and suffering and diminished quality of life if your injuries are permanent or life altering.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC have experience and success working with cases similar to your own and our attorneys would be happy to perform a thorough evaluation and investigation of your Chicago stadium or arena injury case in order to determine whether you have grounds for a lawsuit and how you should proceed. Contact us today for a free consultation so we may be able to answer any questions that you have about your case, your rights and what exactly you can expect from the pursuit of damages.
Our personal injury lawyers will never require payment from you upfront and work on a contingency basis, which means we will only receive payment for our services once we have successfully earned compensation on your behalf either through the negotiation of a settlement or a court judgment in your favor. If we are unable to help you or fail to collect the compensation you are entitled to, our services are free.
