Stadiums have always presented unique safety concerns, many of which have been addressed only in the wake of accidents or other tragedies. Some have referred to this phenomenon of increasing safety regulations as “legislating by catastrophe” as a way to highlight the fact that many safety procedures and risk mitigation designs only come about in response to serious injuries or fatalities. Despite increased attention to safety at the nation’s stadiums, however, risks remain. That makes it all the more important for stadium visitors to understand the dangers and know how to effectively mitigate the risk for themselves and their loved ones.
Stadium Accidents
Fans gather in stadiums across the country and around the world to watch their favorite sports teams, hear their favorite musicians, and participate in assorted other events. It almost goes without saying that such large gatherings of bodies are bound to come with an increased risk – and yet few spectators consider these things before they enter the venues. Consider these facts:
According to foulballz.com, about 28 foul balls end up being hit into the stands at every Major League Baseball game. Given that the league’s schedule sees each of its 30 teams playing 162 games – a total of 2,430 games during the regular season – that adds up to tens of thousands of foul balls entering the spectator sections each season. It’s no wonder Bloomberg reported in 2014 that roughly 1,750 fans are injured by foul balls every year.
Hockey-related injuries are another concern. In one study in 2000, The Puck Stops Here: Spectator Injuries, A real Risk Watching Hockey Games, the researcher found that of 127 hockey games reviewed, 122 fans were injured when they were struck by wayward pucks. Nearly 75% of them required stitches, and almost half required emergency vehicles to transport them to the hospital for treatment. Injuries to the face and head made up the bulk of these incidents.
American collegiate and professional football can be equally dangerous, but for different reasons. Reports of fans falling and suffering injuries have often been related to alcohol consumption. Some have been the result of defective handrails, wet stairs, and other structural concerns. By and large, however, most football stadium injuries have little to do with what happens on the field.
Falls have caused stadium owners to modify structures on many different occasions. For example, after a fan died from a 20-foot fall in Arlington’s Globe Life Park in 2011, the Texas Rangers altered the railings to make them eight inches taller. 2011 saw another Arlington stadium accident – this time at Cowboys Stadium, where six people were hurt when ice and snow fell down on them from the stadium’s dome roof.
Fan Violence and Crime
Accidents happen, of course, and most spectators understand that flying pucks, balls, and splintered bats are risks that they may face when they enter any stadium environment. Most people, however, do not enter such venues with the intent of being victimized by violence or other criminal activity. Sadly, though, it does happen – and far too frequently.
Fan violence has many causes. Intoxication, a lack of effective crowd control, traffic congestion, ticket scalping, and other factors can all help to create conditions in which stadium violence erupts. Of course, the main cause has to do with the strong passions sporting contests evoke among spectators, which helps to explain why spectator violence in stadiums has been a problem since the time of the ancient Greeks. And though some have tried to attribute the perceived increase in fan violence to some imagined sense that American society as a whole is now more violent, statistics from the FBI suggest that such blame is misplaced.
Who’s Responsible for Your Safety?
Often times, fans injured at various stadium events automatically assume that there must be someone they can sue. After all, they reason, why wouldn’t the team or stadium owner be responsible for injuries occurring in their venue? Sadly, that reasoning is not as sound as common sense might suggest. The fact is that, with few exceptions, most stadium spectators assume personal liability for their own well-being when they purchase their tickets.
The only way around this standard is for the plaintiff in any case to provide evidence that demonstrates that the stadium’s owners somehow failed to meet established customs and standards related to providing a safe environment for fans. Many stadiums and teams also place liability disclaimers on tickets, notifying fans that they enter at their own risk.
Protecting Yourself and your Family
Since you are ultimately responsible for your own safety within a stadium, you need to know how to protect yourself and loved ones from harm.
- Arrive early. This can help you to avoid any rushed crowds, and the potential for pushing, shoving, or other violence perpetrated by frustrated fans trying to get to their seats.
- Learn the rules of the stadium, and follow them. That includes instructions regarding stairs, guardrails, glass containers, and alcohol.
- Stay in groups. Of course, this is sound advice at all times, even outside of a stadium environment. Muggers, rapists, and other assailants are less likely to approach a group of people than they are to assault someone who is alone. Always walk with at least one other person.
- Avoid the shadows. You are always safer walking in well-lit areas, where you can see everything around you and others can see you.
- Be familiar with your environment. When you enter the stadium, look to see where the exits are. Know where security personnel are stationed, in case you need them later. In short, have an exit plan just in case something unexpected occurs.
- Leave in an orderly fashion and have your keys at hand so that you can enter your vehicle quickly.
Stadiums can be among the most enjoyable venues on the planet, providing the ideal location for exciting sporting events, musical presentations, and many other forms of entertainment. The key to properly enjoying any stadium event is to remember to be mindful of safety at all times.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
ABOUT HERRMAN & HERRMAN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
With over 100 years of combined experience among the legal team of Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our Texas personal injury attorneys have successfully resolved over 20,000 cases. When representing injured Texas residents, we fight for justice against wrongdoing and aggressively pursue the best resolution to complex personal injury claims.
If you or a loved one was injured, please get in touch with us for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., is a locally based law firm that holds negligent individuals and companies accountable for their wrongdoing. We are not a personal injury mill that advertises nationwide. We provide individualized advocacy in attending to all aspects of claims that involve. Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Dallas, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and Ft. Worth, TX.
We remain by our client’s side, handling all aspects of their claims and attending to all legal, medical, and financial needs. That dedication combines experience, legal knowledge, and insight from a former insurance adjuster and several former insurance defense attorneys. Whether our clients suffer from physical pain from an accident or the emotional grief of death, we treat clients with compassion. We put their mind at ease during difficult times by answering their questions concerning the length of their claim, medical bills, financial compensation, and their overall need for a lawyer.
