Las Vegas is a sports hub, with our Las Vegas Raiders, Aces, Lights, Knights, Outlaws, Desert Dogs, and our Aces coming soon. Crowds pack into Allegiant Stadium, T-Mobile Arena, Michelob Ultra Arena, the Las Vegas Ballpark, and more.
For the most part, sporting events are one heck of a good time, but they’re not risk-free. When you get that many people packed together with adrenaline pumping, injuries are inevitable.
If you’re injured at a sporting event, a good time can quickly turn stressful and painful. In this article, we’ll talk about the most common injuries at Vegas sports events and what you can do if you are injured.
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Common Injuries for Spectators at Sporting Events
1. Slips and Falls
Slips and falls are a frequent theme at sporting events. These can occur due to wet floors (from things like spilled drinks, rain in open-air venues, mopped floors, etc.), uneven surfaces, or debris on the ground. Whether you are a member of the sporting audience or an event worker, these hazards can lead to significant injuries, including fractures, sprains, and head injuries.
How to Stay Safe
While you can’t avoid every slip and fall accident, you can decrease risks by paying close attention to the area around you (including and especially the area in front of you) and hanging onto railings when going up and down stairs.
2. Crowd-related Injuries
Large crowds are a hallmark of major sporting events, but they can be a source of injury. In crowded situations, it is easy to get pushed or trampled, especially during moments of excitement or panic. You can get jostled or knocked over, resulting in bruises, head injuries, and broken bones.
How to Stay Safe
Scout out exits in the stadium nearest to your seats and figure out the best exit routes. Wait your turn—don’t try to push your way to the front of the line or cut people off to get ahead. Also, be mindful of your position in the crowd and stick to designated walkways.
3. Equipment and Structural Failures
Sports venues rely on various equipment and structures to function, such as seating, barriers, and electronic systems. Unfortunately, equipment and infrastructure can malfunction and/or fail altogether, leading to injuries for fans and workers alike.
For example, seats can collapse, railings can come loose, lights can sputter out (affecting visibility), netting and other barriers can be incomplete (exposing fans to flying pucks or balls), and merchandise shelves or racks can fall.
How to Stay Safe
Be vigilant, and if you see anything that looks unsafe, report it to a qualified worker. Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid anything that looks broken or unstable.
4. Heat-related Illnesses
Outdoor sports events, especially those in hot climates like Las Vegas, can pose risks related to heat exposure. Prolonged exposure to the sun can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
How to Stay Safe
Fans and event workers should stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade, and wear protective clothing such as hats and breathable clothing with a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) rating, and apply/re-apply quality sunscreen).
Legal Recourse for Spectator Injuries at Sporting Events
If you suffer an injury at a Vegas sporting event due to the venue’s negligence or the actions of another party, you may have legal recourse. Take the following steps:
- Report the Injury
If you’re an event worker at the sports venue and are injured on the job, start by contacting your employer immediately. In Nevada, you have seven days to report your injury to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
If you’re a spectator, notify a supervisor of your injury right away. - Talk to an Attorney
If you’re an injured spectator, you should contact an accident injury attorney in Las Vegas to help you understand your rights and the compensation you may be entitled to.
They can help you know which parties are negligent and whether or not you have enough evidence to support your case.
If you’re a worker, you can also contact an attorney to make sure you get the full workers’ compensation benefits for your injury. Sometimes, employers can delay or downplay claims, harass you for submitting a claim in the first place, fail to give you the needed time off, deny that your injury is work-related, or fail to cover medical bills. In any of these cases, a qualified work injury benefits attorney can be your number one ally. - Seek Medical Help
Your attorney can direct you to the best medical specialists for your injury. You should seek medical assistance right away and comply with all of your doctor’s orders. If you fail to attend medical appointments, take prescribed medications, or do recommended at-home therapies—or if you do things that your doctor advises you to avoid—you could jeopardize your insurance claim or potential legal case. - Document Everything>
If possible, take photos of the accident scene and your injuries. Write down the details of the accident, names and numbers of witnesses, the scope of your injuries, and the way your injuries improve or worsen over time. Keep track of your medical records and receipts, and keep a record of workdays you have had to miss due to your injuries.
Personal injury claims are built on evidence, and your documentation can provide key evidence that your attorney can use on your behalf.
Who Is at Fault?
Your attorney can help you determine who is at fault, whether it be one negligent entity or a shared-fault situation. At-fault parties could include, but are not limited to:
- The event owner or operator
- A negligent employee
- A third-party contractor (such as a contracted cleaning crew that mopped the floor without putting up “wet floor” signage)
- Another spectator
If you were injured as a spectator at a sporting event, contact our Las Vegas accident attorneys. We have deep expertise when it comes to representing victims of sporting venue accidents. And since we work on contingency fees, that means no upfront payments for you. We don’t get paid until your case is successfully resolved.