What to Do If You’re Injured at a Sports Event?

The very first step you should take if you’re injured at a sporting event is to get medical attention. Consulting a law firm in your area is an important next step. Doing so can benefit your injury claim in several ways. It can help you understand your rights, the venue’s responsibilities, your potential compensation, and the length of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Sporting events are typically crowded and packed with fans of both teams. This can mean the venue is loud, lively, and raucous, which can lead to serious injuries. You need to know what to do if you or someone you love was injured at a sports event. A Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer can guide you on the potentially complex process of financial recovery.

Recover Multiple Types of Compensation for a Sports Event Injury

When seeking compensation from a negligent party, you need to know what damages are and how they apply to personal injury cases in Florida. You can recover economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Past and future medical bills
• In-home medical support
• In-home domestic support
• Past and future lost wages
• Property damage or destruction
• Diminished earning capacity
• Ongoing pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional trauma
• Wrongful death damages, if applicable

Your non-economic damages can be hard to assess and document on your own. Your lawyer will compile your bills and other documents that prove the value of your case. They will also fight for fair and appropriate financial compensation.

Avoid a Potentially Costly Delay in Pursuing Financial Recovery

The personal injury and wrongful death statute of limitations for personal injury in Florida is generally two years, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11. Failure to meet the filing deadline could mean:

• You will not be able to file your lawsuit at all
• Your lawsuit will be dismissed without being heard
• The at-fault party cannot be compelled to compensate you
• The insurance company will refuse to negotiate further

According to Florida Statutes § 95.051, there are limited exceptions to the statute of limitations. Your lawyer will identify any that apply to your case and could extend the filing deadline. Their legal support can help you avoid the costly consequences of filing your lawsuit too late.

Financial Liability for an Injury at a Sporting Event Can Be Complicated

Liability for sports events injuries can be complicated. The type of accident that caused your injuries can help define whether your case is one of premises liability. This typically involves accidents like a slip and fall caused by the venue’s negligence.

You could also have a personal injury claim, which also involves negligence. An example would be being hit by a flying ball, debris, or other object. In either case, your attorney will identify the act of negligence that caused your injury and the elements of negligence. These include duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

How the Assumption of Risk Can Impact Your Personal Injury Case

The assumption of risk in a personal injury case can be either expressed or implied. An express assumption of risk typically involves a signed waiver stating your awareness of the risks of attendance. An implied assumption of risk asserts that you knew, or should have known, the risks of attendance.

Understanding all the legal parameters of your case can be challenging. The tickets and ticket stubs issued for sports events may contain printed disclaimers. If yours does, your lawyer will clarify how this disclaimer and other issues concerning the assumption of risk could potentially affect your case.

A Solid Evidence Collection Can Steer Your Case Toward a Settlement vs a Trial

In a crowded indoor or outdoor arena, it can be hard to uncover supporting evidence for your case. The law firm you choose will help you build a strong evidence collection, including:

• Photos of the sporting venue
• Photos of the accident scene
• Photos of your injuries
• Eyewitness statements
• Medical records and bills
• Official accident reports

You do not have to build your case file on your own. Your legal team will canvass the accident scene for security and surveillance video you might have a hard time obtaining on your own. They can also leverage the discovery process to obtain and understand any evidence in the at-fault party’s possession.

The Benefits and Advantages of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

The law firm and lawyer you choose for representation can make a difference in how your case is handled. Some factors you should consider when choosing a lawyer include their ability to:

• Accurately assess the value of your case
• Document the sports venue’s negligence
• Conduct an independent investigation
• Build a comprehensive evidence collection
• Negotiate with the insurance adjuster
• Clarify Florida law and its impact on your case

You should also consider contact protocols when choosing an attorney. Waiting for updates as your case is being built and while your settlement is being negotiated can be frustrating. Choose a law firm that will provide you with regular and timely updates on your case.

The Benefits of a Contingency-Fee Agreement

Another important factor when choosing a sports injury law firm is its fee structure. Many will represent you on a contingency-fee basis, meaning they will:

• Cover all the costs of building your case
• Not charge upfront or out-of-pocket fees
• Not require a retainer or charge hourly fees

A contingency fee also means your lawyer will receive a percentage of your settlement as their fee. It also means that if you do not recover damages, you will not owe any legal fees at all.

Review Your Sports Event Injury Case at No Cost

If you or a loved one was injured at a sports event, our personal injury lawyer will know what you need to do to recover damages. Our law firm will build the strongest possible case for you and fight hard for the compensation you need and deserve.

 Our law firm is ready to fight for your right to recover monetary damages. Start building your case by contacting our consultation team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today.