Foul ball, Loose puck, Flying bat — Who is to Blame?
Baseball players understand the dangers of fast moving balls on the field, but spectators need to beware too!
Here is an interesting hypothetical case which, unfortunately, sometimes really happens: You are watching a sporting event when something comes flying into the stands. It could be a puck at an ice arena, a foul ball at a baseball stadium, or even a flying bat (baseball bat, that is!). Whatever the object, let us assume it is traveling at a high rate of speed.
If you are the lucky spectator who has scored great seats close to the action, you may suddenly find yourself unlucky by being in the wrong seat at the wrong time! A hit to the head could easily inflict serious injury — even traumatic brain injury (TBI).
If that should happen, who is to blame? Can an injured spectator sue the stadium or arena? The team? Is there a legal course of action?
According to Herndon Injury Lawyer Doug Landau of ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., if you want to sit close to the action, BEWARE! You may be injured by that action!
“This goes to the doctrine of Assumption of Risk”, says Doug. “My own father, Norman Landau, used to routinely bring his glove to baseball games so he could catch foul balls. He could have easily been beaned in the head by a fast moving baseball, and he knew that!”
Stay tuned for a future post about times when a legal remedy may be available for an injured spectator.
If you or someone you know has been injured while watching a sporting event, and there are questions as to what laws apply, email or call ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. at once (703-796-9555).