Who Is Liable If You Are Injured at a Football Game?

 Posted on August 08, 2024 in Car Accidents

With football season rapidly approaching, fans are eagerly anticipating going to games and supporting their favorite teams. Unfortunately, players are not the only people who might experience injuries at a game.

If you are injured or harmed at a football game, are you eligible to file a personal injury claim? Can you obtain compensation? Who is liable? The answers to those questions depend on case-specific factors. An experienced Joliet, IL personal injury attorney from McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC can tell you if you have a valid claim and how we can help.

What Kinds of Spectator Injuries Happen at Football Games?

Where crowds gather, the chances of injuries increase. Football stadiums are prime examples. Spectators walk, drive, or utilize public transportation to get to the game. They walk through parking garages, lots, and sidewalks to enter the facility. Stairs and ramps typically lead to seating areas, with food and merchandise vendors typically available on site.

Various accidents or crimes can happen in these situations, including:

• Car accidents

• Pedestrian accidents

• Slip and fall accidents

• Food poisoning

• Assaults

• Falling objects

Many of these accidents fall under premises liability, a type of personal injury claim. Others are different kinds of claims, but they all have one thing in common: negligence. Negligence is a legal term meaning that someone fails to use the same reasonable care as most people would in the same situation.

What Qualifies as Negligence?

People in different situations have various legal obligations to safeguard others against harm, for example:

• Drivers: Follow safe driving best practices to avoid causing accidents

• Business owners: Ensure safe premises and follow proper food safety regulations

• Property owners: Keep premises safe for invited guests, including providing proper security

If you can prove that someone was negligent and that negligence directly caused your injuries, you may be able to obtain compensation from the guilty party. Examples of negligent behaviors include:

• Driving while distracted or intoxicated

• Failing to provide adequate lighting in parking lots and garages

• Not hiring enough security guards

• Not maintaining perishable foods at the required temperatures

• Not keeping parking areas and outdoor walking paths clear of snow and ice buildups

Many other actions or omissions are also negligent. You will need evidence that proves one or more parties were negligent to collect compensation from them and hold them accountable. At football games, these parties might be the property owner, a government agency that operates the school, vendors, drivers, or maintenance companies.

Every case is different, and you may need to conduct an investigation to assign fault appropriately. Even if you are partly responsible for causing your accident, you may be able to obtain compensation under the Illinois modified comparative negligence rules. Our experienced attorneys can help you resolve your claim satisfactorily.

Request Your Free Consultation With Our Experienced Joliet, IL Personal Injury Lawyers

The outcome of your claim can depend on the quality of your legal representation. When you work with McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC, your Will County, IL personal injury attorney will aggressively protect your best interests to help you win the highest possible amount of compensation from all responsible parties. Call us today at 815-727-0100 to schedule your free consultation.