Summer festivals offer countless forms of enjoyment for attendees, often including live music and performances, various vendors, carnival rides, parades, and more. Such occasions are, unfortunately, commonplace for accidents that result injuries, even with safety precautions in place. When festival accidents occur, determining liability is important in helping the injured victim recover compensation.

We will explore the liability of various parties who may be liable in festival injury accidents, as well as the legal options available to the injured parties.

Personal injury lawyers of Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law can help you in the event of a carnival accident. Allow our legal team to examine the specifics of your case and present you with the legal options available to you.

Safety at Summer Festivals and Carnivals

Festivals and carnivals must follow specific safety requirements that may vary according to the location and nature of the event. This includes first aid stations, communication systems, fire safety, structural and electrical safety, ride and attraction safety, crowd control and security, ADA compliance, and more.

Identifying Liable Parties in Summer Festival Accidents

Determining legal liability for injuries sustained at a summer festival can be complex and may involve multiple parties, including:

• Event Organizers: The primary organizers of the festival are often the first to be considered for liability. Their responsibilities include proper planning, adequate security, and maintaining safe conditions throughout the event.
• Property Owners: If the festival is held on private property or public land, the owner of the property could be held liable if the injury was caused by unsafe conditions on the premises. Under premises liability laws, property owners must address any hazards that could potentially harm visitors.
• Vendors and Contractors: Individual vendors or contractors who set up booths, rides, or other attractions at the festival could be liable if an injury results from their negligence. This includes food vendors, ride operators, and anyone providing services or attractions at the event.
• Security Companies: If a security company is hired to manage the safety of the event and fails to do so adequately, they could be held liable. This includes providing adequate crowd control, preventing violence, and ensuring emergency protocols are in place.
• Municipalities: If a city or town is involved in organizing the festival, they could be liable for injuries that occur due to their negligence. This can include failing to provide adequate police presence or not addressing known safety concerns.
• Equipment Manufacturers: If an injury is caused by defective equipment, such as a ride or stage collapse, the manufacturer of the equipment could be held liable under product liability laws.
• Performers or Participants: In some cases, performers or other participants in the festival could be held liable if their actions directly cause injury to attendees. This might include situations where a performer engages in reckless behavior or uses unsafe props.
• Insurance Companies: Many festivals carry liability insurance to cover potential injuries. The insurance company may be responsible for compensating injured parties based on the terms of the policy.

Compensation for Your Injuries

Getting appropriate medical care and collecting evidence to establish negligence should be your primary objectives if you were injured in an accident or incident that was not your fault. To establish liability, the injured party must typically prove that the responsible entity was negligent and that this negligence directly caused their injury. To substantiate your case, you’ll want to:

1. Gather evidence and establish documentation: Take photos of your injuries and the scene where the injuries occurred. File a report with carnival management and/or local authorities in order to document the incident.
   
2. Maintain a journal: List out exact times of the injury, arrival and nature of medical help, and follow-up medical care. Document your physical and mental condition following the accident.
   
3. Establish a list of witnesses: Include each individual's confirmed contact information on a list of potential witnesses for your personal injury claim.
   
4. Consult with a lawyer: Refrain from any form of communication with the legal defense team or insurance provider of the negligent party. It is advisable to retain a personal injury lawyer for this purpose. Declare that you intend to retain a personal injury attorney and, if required, file a lawsuit in order to safeguard your rights and interests.

Brandon J. Broderick Can Help You Recover Compensation

Determining liability after a carnival accident can be complicated and often requires the help of a personal injury lawyer. At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, our personal injury attorneys are committed to client care and passionately fighting for the justice you deserve.

Schedule a no-cost, obligation free consultation today and we can help you get the compensation you need to get back on your feet.