There’s nothing quite like seeing your favorite performer or band in person. It’s as much about the music as it is about the excitement of being in a crowd of like-minded music enthusiasts. The same can be said about attending fairs, festivals and other large, crowded events.
Sadly, not every concert ends on a high note. In August of 2011 before a Sugarland Concert at the Indiana State Fair, an unexpected, violent thunderstorm with powerful winds caused the collapse of the outdoor music stage taking the lives of seven individuals and injuring another 58. Likewise, at a February 2003 concert at the Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, 100 people lost their lives or died later from injuries when a pyrotechnic display caused the acoustic foam insulation on stage to catch fire and rapidly consume the entire venue.
And while these instances are examples of the worst possible outcomes of what could happen at a concert, the fact remains that injuries can and do happen. If you are ever injured at a concert you should know to follow these important steps.
Report Your Injury to Concert Security
While you may not initially think your injury is a big deal, you should report it to the on-site authorities at the concert venue. They have an obligation to provide you with assistance and even if nothing else comes of it, your reporting of the incident gets the record on file should you ever need it later. Make sure you get a written copy of the report.
Get Medical Help Immediately
The key word here is immediate. That means not waiting until the concert is over and after you leave. It means not waiting until the next day when you have the free time. Your injury may not seem all that serious when it first happens, but if it worsens the next day and you realize you need medical attention, perhaps even multiple visits to a health care provider, you may not be in as good a position to file a claim.
Write Down What Happened While Your Memory is Fresh
At your first available opportunity when your memory is still fresh, write down a complete and thorough account of what happened that resulted in your injury. Did you trip? Do you know what you tripped over? Did you slip and fall? Were you pushed or shoved or crushed by a mob of fellow concertgoers? Be as specific as possible and include even the most minor details about the incident.
Hold Onto Any Medical Bills and Police Reports
Now is the time to make a folder to hold paperwork documenting each time you visit a doctor or other health care provider for your injury. Add to it the initial police/security report. In addition, if you lose time and pay from work as a result of your injury, be sure to document those losses and keep them in the file folder as well.
Get In Touch with a Good Personal Injury Attorney
Perhaps you had a bit too much to drink at the concert and are embarrassed about and blame your somewhat inebriated state for your accident. Perhaps you blame your own clumsiness for stumbling over an electrical cord. Then again, perhaps the concert venue sold far too many tickets than should have been legally permitted and you were injured in a crush of people rushing the stage. While there are certain risks that all concert attendees assume and that are generally printed on their ticket, there are others that concert promoters or third parties are liable for. A good personal injury attorney can advise you whether legal action is appropriate.