Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
If you were injured at a concert or event venue, you may be able to pursue compensation from the party whose negligence caused the incident.
Determining liability for an injury at a concert or similar event can be challenging. If you were injured in an accident at this type of venue, a Manhattan personal injury lawyer from Shulman & Hill can identify who is at fault and help you file a personal injury claim.
What Should I Do If I Am Injured At a Concert or Event Venue?
The steps you take after an injury at a concert or event venue can affect your ability to recover compensation.
You should:
- Get medical attention: Seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if your injuries don’t seem serious. Your medical records will help link your injury to the event.
- Report the incident: Notify venue employees, event staff, security personnel, or management about what happened. Ask that an incident report be completed and keep any information you receive about the report.
- Take photographs: If you can, photograph the location where your injury occurred, including spills, damaged flooring, broken staircases, inadequate lighting, crowd conditions, or other hazards that contributed to the accident.
- Collect witness information: Exchange contact information with people who saw the accident or know what caused it.
- Keep evidence: Preserve your ticket, wristband, medical records, receipts, and other documents related to your injury.
- Avoid posting about the accident: Any statements or photographs you post on social media could be used to challenge your account of what happened.
- Consult a lawyer: A personal injury attorney from Shulman & Hill can listen to your story and determine whether you have grounds for a legal claim.
Who Could Be Responsible for an Injury at an Event Venue?
Multiple parties can share liability for an injury at an event venue, including:
- The property owner: A property owner could potentially be responsible for dangerous conditions on the premises that they knew or should have known about.
- The venue operator: The company operating the facility may have responsibilities involving maintenance, crowd management, staffing, and safety procedures.
- The event organizer: An organizer may be responsible for planning and supervising aspects of an event, including crowd control and other safety measures.
- A security company: A private security contractor could potentially be liable when negligent security contributes to an injury.
- A performer or contractor: A performer, production company, vendor, or other contractor could potentially be responsible for hazards they create.
- Another attendee: If another person intentionally or negligently injured you, that individual could be held responsible for the resulting damages.
A lawyer from Shulman & Hill can investigate your injury and help hold the at-fault parties accountable.
How Long Do I Have to File an Event Injury Claim in New York?
Per NY CPLR § 214, you generally have three years from the date of an injury at a public event to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if the venue or property is owned or operated by a government entity, you must serve a Notice of Claim within 90 days and file a lawsuit within one year and 90 days.
Since the applicable deadline will depend on who owns or operates the venue, you should contact Shulman & Hill as soon as possible. Waiting too long could result in losing your right to seek compensation, even if you have a strong claim.
What Types of Injuries Can Happen at Concerts and Event Venues?
Large events bring together thousands of people in relatively confined spaces, creating numerous opportunities for accidents.
Common injuries at public events include:
- Slip and fall injuries: Spilled beverages, wet floors, uneven surfaces, debris, and other hazards can cause attendees to fall.
- Falls from elevated areas: Poorly protected balconies, platforms, stairs, and seating areas can create serious fall hazards.
- Crowd–related injuries: Dense crowds can cause attendees to be knocked down, pushed against barriers, trampled, or otherwise injured.
- Head and brain injuries: A fall, impact with another person, or an object striking an attendee can cause a concussion or traumatic brain injury.
- Broken bones: Falls and collisions can result in fractures involving the arms, legs, wrists, ribs, or other parts of the body.
- Spinal injuries: A significant fall or impact can damage the neck or back.
- Burn injuries: Faulty electrical equipment, pyrotechnics, cooking equipment, or other sources can cause burns.
- Assault–related injuries: Attendees can sometimes be injured during fights or other violent incidents.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
Event injury claims are often more complicated than standard personal injury claims.
A personal injury lawyer from Shulman & Hill can:
- Investigate the accident: A lawyer can investigate the venue, identify witnesses, review available surveillance footage, and determine how the accident occurred.
- Identify responsible parties: A lawyer can examine contracts and other evidence to determine whether responsibility potentially falls on the property owner, venue operator, event organizer, security company, contractor, or another party.
- Gather evidence: A lawyer can collect evidence such as incident reports, photographs, medical records, surveillance footage, and maintenance records to strengthen your claim.
- Calculate your damages: A lawyer can evaluate your economic and non-economic damages and calculate your claim’s value.
- Handle insurance negotiations: A lawyer can communicate with the insurance company and respond to settlement offers on your behalf.
- Represent you in court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, a lawyer can file a lawsuit and represent you throughout the litigation process.
Speak to a Personal Injury Attorney
The aftermath of an injury at a public event can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to handle it alone. A dedicated personal injury attorney from Shulman & Hill can investigate what happened, identify who is responsible, and help you pursue compensation for your losses.
Schedule a free case evaluation to discuss your injury and learn more about your legal options.