Southern California is home to several elite sports stadiums, from classic venues like Dodger Stadium and the Rose Bowl to state-of-the-art facilities like SoFi Stadium and Crypto.com Arena. Fans love cheering on their favorite team. However, these events can become tragic when stadium owners fail to implement proper safety protocols, and people slip and fall on slick surfaces, often sustaining severe injuries.
If you were injured in a stadium accident in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, contact Salamati Law to pursue your right to compensation. Our team works tirelessly to maintain close communication with our clients throughout every stage of litigation. We have over 28 years of experience representing clients throughout the greater Los Angeles area. We will negotiate your case aggressively, strategically, and creatively. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation about your slip and fall stadium accident.
What Are the Biggest Dangers in Los Angeles Stadiums?
Stadium owners and managers can reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents by maintaining strict safety protocols and promptly fixing known hazards. However, they often fail to take these measures, and innocent fans are harmed. Common causes of slip and fall accidents in stadiums include spills on concourse floors, unmarked inclines, faulty handrails, and inadequate treading.
While falls remain a persistent danger in Los Angeles stadiums, they pose unique risks as venues for sporting events. Other hazards in Los Angeles sports stadiums include the following:
- Foul balls, flung bats, and other objects flying into the crowd
- Drunk and disorderly spectators, combined with inadequate security
- Collapsing stands
- Burns from hot bleacher seats
Stadium owners and professional sports teams have vast resources to implement safety features and hire staff to ensure their premises are safe for visitors. However, as noted, they often fail in this regard, even at some of our largest and most prestigious arenas.
A Foul Ball Leads to Tragedy at Dodger Stadium
In 2018, a routine foul ball sailed over the protective netting on the first base side of home plate at Dodger’s Stadium, striking long-time fan Linda Goldbloom in the head. The 79-year-old woman was rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries four days later. The Los Angeles coroner’s report stated she died from acute intracranial hemorrhage due to blunt force trauma.
Do stadiums and baseball parks in California have enough protective netting? Historically, Major League Baseball has relied on the decades-old Baseball Rule to avoid liability in personal injury claims. According to this doctrine, fans and spectators assume the risk of being injured. Courts have returned mixed verdicts in cases brought by injured spectators. In some cases, like that of Mrs. Goldbloom, victims’ families have reached confidential settlements with sports teams.
Beyond Sports: Rose Bowl Stadium Accidents
There are many stadium accidents at sporting events, but other attractions can prove just as dangerous at these multi-use venues. At the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, a man lost part of a finger during a confrontation with another spectator after a Beyonce and Jay Z concert. The man and his wife, who also claimed she was assaulted during the same incident, filed a lawsuit against the Rose Bowl, the city of Pasadena, and a private security firm, alleging that their injuries would not have occurred if the parties responsible for providing security had fulfilled their duties to concertgoers.
In a separate incident, a woman claimed she suffered a severe injury in the Rose Bowl parking lot when she tripped over an object that was obscured by poor lighting. Whether you were injured in a slip and fall accident or by unruly fans, you may have a claim against the stadium or another party if their negligence contributed to your injury.
Violence and Slip and Fall Accidents at SoFi Stadium
Several incidents of violence have been reported at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, including fights between fans and one incident in which a fan was thrown over a railing onto a concrete surface. In a separate incident, a 71-year-old crowd control worker sued the LA Rams, a private security firm, and other parties after suffering severe injuries during a brawl at the stadium.
Violence is not the only source of concern for fans at the Inglewood venue. Many reported injuries at the 2023 College Football National Championship game after rain soaked the concourses and made the floors dangerously slippery.
Injuries at Crypto.com Arena Make Headlines
Crypto.com Arena, formerly the Staples Center, has also seen its fair share of spectator injuries. In 2023, rapper 50 Cent injured a concertgoer by hurling a microphone into the stands. In 2022, a fight went viral between Clippers and Hawks fans. During the same game, a woman fell 10 feet onto a concrete surface while diving for a free t-shirt. At a Lakers game, a fan was injured while trying to sink a half-court shot in a promotion.
Slip and fall injuries at Staples Center/Crypto.com Arena may not make headlines, but the victims’ pain and financial hardship are real. Filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party can provide much-needed financial stability.
Who Is Liable After a Stadium Injury?
The law offers hope for those injured at Dodger Stadium, SoFi Stadium, the Rose Bowl, Crypto.com Arena, and other California stadiums, but success is far from guaranteed.
To prevail in a Los Angeles stadium injury lawsuit, victims must be able to demonstrate that the property owner was negligent. Whether filing a claim against a stadium owner, professional sports team, security firm, or other party, plaintiffs must prove the following elements:
- The sports venue or stadium owner owed you a duty of care.
- The owner violated that duty of care because they knew or should have known about a hazard on the premises but failed to correct it within a reasonable amount of time–or failed to warn visitors.
- The owner’s negligence contributed to your accident.
- You have sustained damages from the accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In any premises liability lawsuit, the onus is on the plaintiff and their personal injury lawyer to show that the venue owner was negligent and that their actions resulted in injury. Whether attending a baseball or football game, a rock concert, or a commercial exposition, there are many situations where the owner or manager of the stadium may be legally liable for serious bodily harm.
Managers of sports venues are expected to carry out routine inspections to identify and correct any conditions or defects that pose a risk of injury. Potential hazards like flooded floors and spilled drinks must be remedied promptly. If a leaking pipe in the bathroom isn’t fixed within a reasonable amount of time, and you sustain serious injuries after slipping and falling–you may be eligible for damages.
If you are unsure you can meet the burden of proof, do not lose hope. Consult with our team at Salamati Law. We know how to investigate your case, determine liability, and negotiate with insurance companies so that you are fairly compensated for your damages.
How a Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help After a Serious Injury at an LA Stadium
After suffering a slip and fall injury at a stadium, you may face many hardships, including physical, emotional, and financial harm. California premises liability laws allow you to seek compensation, and an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you make the most of your legal claim.
Common slip and fall injuries include the following:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injury
- Hip fractures
- Wrist fractures
- Ankle fractures
- Knee and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Sprains and contusions
At Salamati Law, our team has handled hundreds of serious injury cases arising from dangerous property conditions. We are tenacious, compassionate and work diligently for our clients.
Schedule a Free Consultation at Salamati Law
Slip and fall accidents at stadiums often result in severe or life-long injuries. If the negligence of another party, such as the stadium owner, caused the accident, you deserve to be fairly compensated. If you were harmed at Dodgers Stadium, the Rose Bowl, SoFi Stadium, Crypto.com arena/Staples Center, or another sports venue, Salamati Law welcomes the opportunity to answer your questions and assess your case. The initial consultation is free. Call today to schedule yours. Since we work on a contingency basis, there are no upfront legal fees. We look forward to hearing from you.
