The Law Offices of Matthew J. Quinlan helps anyone that’s been injured in premises liability accidents in San Francisco. Accidents at San Francisco event venues can quickly turn a great time into a challenging situation. If you or someone you know has been injured at one of these venues, contact our firm for a free consultation to discuss your next steps.
Do You Need a Lawyer for Injuries at San Francisco Event Venues?
With numerous entertainment options in San Francisco, accidents can be more common than you might expect. While minor injuries usually don’t require legal help, severe injuries at these places often do. We can help by investigating the accident, figuring out everyone that’s at fault, and explaining your legal rights and options.
Our team will also help you with gathering evidence, handle all the insurance negotiations, and generally make the process easier for you. We tailor our approach to your needs, but more than anything, we want to give you the support you need to make a recovery.
What Are Your Legal Options After an Event Venue Accident?
San Francisco has a lot of options when it comes to entertainment or recreation, with numerous places to enjoy these outings. But, this also can increase the likelihood that you can get hurt in an accident–particularly when negligence is involved.
While this isn’t what you want to happen when you buy a ticket, it does give you certain legal options. These generally include:
- Insurance claims – A faster, less formal route, but insurance companies often offer lower payouts.
- Lawsuits – More time-consuming but can result in higher financial rewards, as a judge or jury will determine the outcome.
Regardless of which option you choose, you get to claim “damages” from whoever is responsible. This covers things like:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Property repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life or companionship
- Wrongful death expenses if fatal
- Punitive damages for intentional harm
Like any claim, what you’re ultimately able to recover depends on the details of the accident and other factors, like how hurt you are. But a key part of the process is filing your claim within California’s statute of limitations, which is two years from the date of the accident. If you don’t, you can’t recover damages at all.
Who Pays For Your Damages in a San Francisco Event Venue Accident?
While you have options, the first question you usually need to answer regards who’s responsible for paying for your damages. In legal terms, this is known as “liability.” As it relates specifically to an event venue in San Francisco, “premises liability” laws hold owners or managers of the venue responsible for any accidents that happen due to “negligence.” This means that when you’re hurt because the venue failed to do what they were supposed to do to keep you safe, they have to pay for any resulting damage.
However, because there’s a wide range of potential things that can happen to you at a typical event venue, others might share some liability. Typically, this involves:
- Other people at the venue – If someone else’s reckless behavior causes you to get hurt, they might be responsible. For example, if someone pushing or shoving makes you fall, you could file a claim against them.
- Venue staff – Staff and maintenance workers must ensure the venue is safe. If their negligence, such as failing to repair a broken railing, leads to an accident, they could be liable.
- Security guards – Security guards are responsible for ensuring safety. If they fail to address hazards or neglect their duties, they might be held accountable for any resulting injuries.
- Manufacturers – If faulty equipment or products at the venue cause an injury, the manufacturer of those items could be responsible. For instance, a defective seat that breaks and injures you may lead to a claim against its manufacturer.
- Designers – Architects must design safe venues. If a design flaw causes an accident, the architects might be held responsible. For example, a poorly designed layout leading to injury could be their fault.
Figuring out liability is a huge step in the claims process because it not only tells you who has to pay for your damages, but who you’ll actually file your claim against–potentially facing them in court. That said, the way the process plays out depends on what you do–or don’t do–after the accident itself.
What Steps Do You Need to Take After the Accident at the Venue?
The aftermath of an accident at an event venue can be pretty scary. Most of the time, you’re in a crowd, which can make it difficult to think clearly or even be able to understand what happened. At the same time, there’s certain things that need to be done if you want to put together a strong claim. Here are the steps you need to take after the accident to help your claim:
- Get help – Seek medical care immediately. Call an ambulance to take you to the hospital room and go to on-site medical facilities (if there are any) to take care of your injuries and create a medical record.
- Report the accident to the venue – At the same time, tell venue staff or management about the accident. Most have a policy to create an official report. Ask for a copy, and make sure to collect evidence such as photos and witness information.
- Save evidence – Save any evidence related to the incident, including surveillance footage and damaged items. Don’t make repairs until everything is documented, and focus your pictures and videos on the cause of the accident.
- Keep track of your expenses – Keep detailed records of all expenses and losses, such as medical bills and lost wages. This will help prove the financial impact of your injuries.
- Be careful with statements – When you talk to the venue, stick to the facts and don’t admit fault. Usually, their insurance company will want to talk to you about what happened. If you’re not comfortable, talk with us first.
Because they can happen unexpectedly, it can be difficult to prepare yourself for an accident at a venue. Still, these steps are very important to your overall claim. But just as important is understanding what can happen to you in these types of accidents.
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What Can Happen to You at a San Francisco Event Venue?
Probably the biggest issue–outside of liability–with an event venue accident in San Francisco is the sheer amount of things that can happen to you or someone you’re with. Whether you’re at a concert or a basketball game, you can get really hurt when negligence is involved. Most of the time though, you’re looking at having to deal with accidents like:
- Slip and falls – Wet or uneven floors, spills, or poor signage can cause slips and falls. Negligence might include not cleaning spills or fixing hazards.
- Tripping risks – Hazards like uneven walkways, exposed cords, or misplaced objects can lead to trips and falls.
- Inadequate or negligent security – Poor security or crowd control can lead to injuries from fights or other dangerous situations, like assaults or robberies.
- Defective or malfunctioning equipment – Broken or poorly maintained equipment, like seats or stages, can cause injuries. Negligence might involve failing to inspect or maintain these items.
- Structural failures – Collapsing railings, faulty lighting, or unsafe structures can result from poor design or maintenance.
- Food poisoning – Improperly handled or stored food can cause illnesses. This happens when food staff at the venue fails to follow hygiene and safety standards.
- Overcrowding – Too many people in a venue can create dangerous conditions. This might be due to ignoring safety regulations or capacity limits.
You never want to get injured in any type of accident in San Francisco, let alone one that happens at one of the city’s many event venues. Still, being hurt because the venue was negligent gives you certain options and our team will be there to guide you through them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter which venue the accident happens at?
No. Every event venue in San Francisco, whether it’s a large venue like the Chase Center or a smaller theater, has a duty to keep you safe while you’re there. If they don’t, you can file an injury claim.
Who’s responsible for an accident outside the venue?
It depends on who owns that part of the property. If it’s in a concourse or parking garage operated by the venue, they’re still responsible. However, if it’s in a parking lot across the street operated by the city, the city government could be responsible.
What’s the deadline for filing an injury claim?
Like any other accident, you have two years from the date of the accident itself to file after you’re hurt at a San Francisco event venue.
Contact MJQ Law After a San Francisco Event Venue Accident
A fun time at a San Francisco event venue can quickly become difficult if you’re injured. At MJQ Law, our experienced team understands these challenges and knows how to handle the legal process for venue accidents. We’re here to guide you through your recovery. If you or someone you know has been hurt due to negligence at a San Francisco venue and wants to explore legal options, contact us for a free consultation today.
