Wild Times at Wildcats Games

When you head to Lexington to cheer on the Cats, you’re thinking about players and victories, not slips and falls. If your mind happens to wander to accidents, it likely involves the athletes getting hurt rather than the fans. Few people consider their safety in and around Rupp Arena or Commonwealth Stadium, but sporting events of any kind can leave spectators with serious injuries. Sometimes, the harm is caused by the action of the game, such as when a Major League Baseball fan was hit in the head this summer by a shattered baseball bat or when LeBron James recently chased a loose ball right into a fan sitting courtside (who just happened to be the wife of a PGA golfer). Many of these types of situations fall under the warning that is commonly printed on the back of your ticket – that you assume the risk of injury while attending the game. But there are exceptions to this rule. The facility is responsible if it didn’t take adequate precautions to protect you or if you were hurt as the result of something that was not foreseeable. Generally, this includes spectator injuries that happen due to conditions at the facility or careless decisions made by other fans such as:

• Escalator/elevator accidents
• Falls from balconies/upper decks
• Faulty or improperly constructed ramps
• Food poisoning
• Improper lighting
• Inadequate security
• Injuries from thrown objects
• Lack of crowd control
• Lack of guardrails or improperly maintained railings
• Parking lot injuries (tailgating, traffic congestion)
• Pedestrian accidents
• Physical assaults
• Slips and falls on wet/soiled surfaces, particularly in bathrooms or on stairs

Another common game-day concern is sensible alcohol consumption. Whether our team wins or loses, alcoholic beverages flow freely before, during, and after the match-up. DUI accidents can happen on any of the roads leading in and out of Lexington. Facilities that serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons can be held liable for what happens next – fights, drunken driving wrecks, etc. Lax enforcement of underage drinking laws can also make universities, fraternities, and sororities responsible Weighing the possible dangers that lurk at a UK basketball or football game against the experience of a being a live participant in Big Blue Nation is a delicate balance for any fan. If you have any questions about this topic, you can find out more by discussing it with one of the attorneys at the Pikeville, KY-based Johnson Law Firm. While we hope that the seasons pass without incident and the Wildcats are champions, we are here if you need us. Contact us by calling 606-437-4488 or filling out our online form.