Concerts are supposed to be fun and exciting, but sometimes drunk patrons and dangerous conditions on the premises can cause the experience to take a turn for the worse. If you are injured at a concert in Philadelphia, talk to an attorney today. You may be able to file a lawsuit for your injuries and get compensation to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Reiff Law Firm’s Philadelphia premises injury lawyers explain what you should do after being injured at a concert venue in Philly.
First Steps after a Concert Injury
If you were severely injured at a concert, the first thing you should do is get medical attention. That may mean calling 9-1-1 to get an ambulance or EMT to respond. When emergency responders arrive, they may be able to assess your condition and see if further treatment is necessary in the emergency room. If you suffered serious injuries like gunshot wounds or serious injuries from collapsing equipment or walkways, it is likely that the venue will halt operations and multiple people may need to be rushed to the ER.
When EMTs respond, 9-1-1 dispatch may also send police to respond. If you were hurt as a victim of a crime because the venue’s security staff provided negligent security, it is likely that police will respond. When they do arrive, they may create an accident report detailing what happened, and if there was a crime committed, they will start a full investigation. The information the police obtain can be important later if you file a lawsuit.
You should also get as much information as you can when you are injured. If your injuries are severe, you might not be able to concentrate on getting information about the accident, but you can use your cell phone to record video of the fallout from the accident or ask a friend or loved one to gather information for you. You want information regarding:
- Where and how the accident happened,
- Who was involved (g. venue staff, other concertgoers, witnesses),
- The conditions when the accident occurred (g. crowd size, lighting, and other important details),
- Any contact information for the venue or a manager.
This information can help you assemble your case and avoid situations where the responsible parties might slip away into the crowd or where the venue may work to protect staff or employees. This may happen in cases of injuries caused by security guards or other staff.
In addition, you should talk to an attorney. An experienced premises liability attorney can help you understand who to hold liable for your case, help you calculate what your injury might be worth, and help guide you through any future discussions with the responsible parties.
Filing a Lawsuit for Concert Venue Injuries in Philadelphia
After assembling information and talking to an attorney about your case, the next step is to file the lawsuit. Many of the preliminary parts of filing a lawsuit deal with filing paperwork with the court and the defendant. These papers often have procedural requirements and deadlines that your attorney can navigate on your behalf.
Your attorney can guide you through how to act while your injury case is pending. Suing a concert venue might be a stressful experience, especially if they continue to reach out to you directly instead of through your attorney in attempts to settle the case or if news outlets want information about your case. It is important to avoid sharing information with others about your ongoing case, even friends and family. Keep information and photos off Facebook and Instagram, don’t share updates on your condition and avoid leaking other information or statements the defense may be able to use against you. In addition, do not accept any money from insurance companies or the defendant without discussing it with your attorney.
When you file a lawsuit, you and your attorney must present enough evidence to prove your case and win compensation for your injuries. This requires showing that the concert venue or its employees failed to use the adequate care or skill expected of them and that that negligence caused your injuries. This can include various issues, such as:
- Inadequate security,
- Failure to repair or warn of dangers on the property,
- Poor lighting that created hidden dangers,
- Unsafe or unsecured equipment,
- Exposed wires and electrocution risks,
- Overserving at the bar, and
- Other issues.
When you prove these elements, you may recover any damages that stem from the accident. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering damages, and other harms you faced. As long as these damages link back to the accident, you can claim them as damages in court. Ultimately, how much you receive in compensation is up to the jury.
Philadelphia Concert Venue Accident Lawyers Offering Free Consultations
If you or a loved one was injured at a concert venue in Philadelphia, talk to an attorney today. The Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm represent victims of accidents and serious injuries, and they work to get them compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other damages. For a free consultation on your case, call our law offices today at (215) 709-6940.