Personal Injury Liability

Summer in New York is all about getting outside and enjoying everything our city and state have to offer. From lively street fairs and music festivals to bustling food markets and community events, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the season. But with all the excitement, it’s easy to forget that these events can also come with risks. If you or someone you care about is injured at a summer festival, fair, or public event, it’s important to know your rights—and what steps to take next.

Understanding Premises Liability

Let’s start with the basics. “Premises liability” is a legal term that means property owners and event organizers have a responsibility to keep their spaces safe for visitors. This applies whether you’re at a permanent venue, like a concert hall, or a temporary setup, like a street fair or carnival. If someone gets hurt because of a dangerous condition that should have been fixed or warned about, the people in charge may be held legally responsible.

Common Ways People Get Hurt at Summer Events

While summer events are meant to be fun, they can also be chaotic. Here are some of the most common ways people get injured:

• Slips, Trips, and Falls: Spilled drinks, uneven sidewalks, or poorly marked steps can easily cause someone to lose their footing.
• Crowd-Related Injuries: Overcrowding, lack of security, or poor crowd control can lead to accidents, fights, or even stampedes.
• Ride or Attraction Accidents: Mechanical failures or operator mistakes on rides and inflatables can result in serious injuries.
• Food Poisoning: Not all food vendors follow proper safety protocols, which can lead to illness.
• Heat-Related Issues: Long days in the sun without enough shade or water can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Who Could Be Responsible?

Figuring out who’s responsible for an injury at a public event isn’t always straightforward. Depending on the situation, several parties might share the blame:

• Event Organizers: They’re in charge of overall safety, including things like crowd management and emergency planning.
• Property Owners: If the event is on private property, the owner may be liable for unsafe conditions.
• Vendors and Contractors: Food vendors, ride operators, and security companies are responsible for their own areas.
• Local Governments: If the city or town is involved in organizing or permitting the event, they could also be held accountable.

To have a successful claim, you’ll need to show that the responsible party knew (or should have known) about the hazard and didn’t do enough to fix it or warn people.

What Should You Do If You’re Injured?

If you’re hurt at a festival, fair, or public event, here’s what you should do to protect yourself and your rights:

1. Get Medical Help: Your health comes first. Even if you think your injuries are minor, get checked out by a doctor.
2. Report the Incident: Let event staff, security, or the property owner know what happened. Ask for a written report if possible.
3. Document Everything: Take photos of where you were hurt, what caused the injury, and your injuries themselves. Get names and contact info for any witnesses.
4. Save Your Records: Keep all medical bills, receipts, and any communication with event organizers or insurance companies.
5. Talk to a Lawyer: Premises liability cases can get complicated, especially when multiple parties are involved. An experienced attorney can help you figure out your options and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Challenges You Might Face Pursuing a Premises Liability Claim

Not every injury at a public event leads to a successful legal claim. Some of the hurdles you might encounter include:

• Proving Negligence: You’ll need to show that someone failed to act reasonably to prevent the hazard.
• Notice of the Hazard: The responsible party must have known (or should have known) about the dangerous condition.
• Waivers and Warnings: Some events require you to sign waivers or post warning signs. These don’t always prevent you from making a claim, but they can make things more complicated.
• Government Involvement: If a city or town is involved, there may be special rules and shorter deadlines for filing a claim.

Real-Life Examples

• Slip and Fall at a Food Festival: Imagine you slip on a spilled drink near a vendor booth, and there were no warning signs or cleanup efforts. The vendor or event organizer could be held responsible.
• Ride Malfunction at a Fair: If a poorly maintained ride breaks down and causes injury, both the ride operator and the event organizer might be liable.
• Heat Stroke at a Concert: If an event fails to provide enough shade or water and people get sick from the heat, the organizers could be found negligent.

How Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson Can Help

If you’ve been injured at a summer event, you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. At Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson, we have decades of experience helping New Yorkers with personal injury and premises liability cases. We’ll investigate what happened, identify everyone who might be responsible, gather evidence, and handle negotiations with insurance companies—so you can focus on your recovery.

Don’t Wait—Reach Out Today

Premises liability claims have strict deadlines, especially if a government agency is involved. If you or a loved one has been hurt at a summer festival, fair, or public event, contact our experienced personal injury attorneys for a free, zero obligation consultation. We’re here to answer your questions, explain your options, and help you get the justice you deserve.

Disclaimer: This post is for legal education purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. No attorney-client relationship has been formed. To the extent this post constitutes attorney advertising, past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.