Bleachers are common seating at school sports events, local sports, and even concerts. Bleachers are hard metal, and even though they are often left out to the elements year-round, they should be sturdy enough to support the crowd.
When collapses happen, many people can face serious injuries. Small collapses to just your seat or section could lead to a fall, people and bleachers falling on top of you, and even cuts and impalement from sharp edges. More serious collapses could cause substantial injuries as the entire structure falls in, knocking people over the edge of trapping them under the structure.
For help with your case, call the bleacher collapse attorneys at Rhatigan Law Offices right away at (312) 578-8502.
Who is Responsible for Bleacher Collapses?
The first question you have to ask when trying to sue for injuries is who is responsible. This will affect everything about your case, from who you actually file against, how you can expect them to pay you, and what your theory of the case will be. The following are all potential parties liable for bleacher collapses:
The Property Owner
When schools or stadiums use bleachers, they are responsible for upkeep and maintenance. If they know about weak points or rust that could compromise the structure, they need to warn people about it, close off that section, and investigate the issue before letting anyone into a dangerous situation.
In most cases, property owners are expected to keep an active eye out for these dangers, and they should react responsibly to any complaints about wobbly or loose bleachers from fans/guests.
If the bleachers were at a school or other government/public-owned facility, your case might require additional steps and limits, as suing the government is often a bit more complicated than suing a private company or facility.
Event Operators
Sometimes bleachers are brought in for outdoor events like concerts, fairs, and festivals. When this happens, these temporary bleachers are often provided by rental or event companies. They should make sure that when they are setting them up, they are doing so on level, safe ground, and that there are no problems with the setup that could lead to a collapse. Improper setup could make the collapse their fault.
Bleacher Installers
Owners typically rely on contractors and builders to erect bleachers. They may even call them in for maintenance. If the initial construction or installation was done in error, then it might not be the property owner, but rather the contractor or installer, who is responsible for the collapse.
Manufacturer
Sometimes both the installer and the property owner do everything they can to keep guests and fans safe, but the bleachers themselves have a problem. These issues often trace back to the manufacturer, who may have substituted weaker materials, missed screws or bolts, or made other errors in the design or manufacturing process.
How to Sue for Injuries in a Bleacher Collapse Case in Chicago
When you are involved in an accident like a bleacher collapse or other structural collapse, it is important to get medical care right away, build a record of the injuries you face, and document everything that happens. Then, you can call our bleacher collapse attorneys for help filing your case.
We can collect the evidence that will be needed for your case, including things like structural assessments from engineers and other experts. We can combine these with the medical records and financial records of the physical and economic harms you face to show the defense what your case is worth.
From there, we will typically start your case with an insurance claim. We can file against the at-fault owner or operator’s insurance company, potentially settling the case without the need for a lawsuit. However, if the settlement offers are too low and negotiations have stalled, we can take the case to court.
There, we will file before a judge and take your case all the way to trial if needed.
What Do I Need to Prove in My Injury Case?
Injury cases are usually based on a claim of negligence. This means you need to prove the defendant caused your injuries by breaching a legal duty that they owed you. What exactly the duty and breach are will depend on who the defendant is, with multiple examples listed above.
Typically, a breach requires them to have overlooked something or taken improper care in keeping the bleachers safe. It can also involve a failure to warn about a known danger, which requires proof that they did know or should have known about the danger already.
Our lawyers can help you gather the information and evidence you will need, such as internal records showing past reports of dangers, engineering reports showing how the bleachers collapsed, and medical records highlighting your injuries.
What is My Case Worth?
Injury victims can claim damages for the economic and non-economic damages they face from an accident. Economic damages cover things like medical expenses to treat your injuries and lost wages to pay you back for time you miss at work while healing. We can also claim ongoing lost earnings if your injuries disabled you. Lastly, non-economic damages pay for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and more.
The economic damages in your case can be calculated by looking at bills and lost wages. We can also estimate future costs, such as the ongoing cost of medical care or how much income you will continue to miss if you cannot work at full capacity anymore.
Non-economic damages are typically calculated with one of two methods. First, you can assign a daily value to pain and suffering, usually based on your daily income amount. Alternatively, you can assign a multiplier to your injury based on how severe it is, then multiply your other damages by that number.
When to Call a Lawyer for Help
Call a lawyer as soon as you can after your injuries. Any delay can mean witnesses forget what happened or evidence is lost or destroyed. Especially if there might be security footage of the collapse, we need to get our hands on it before it is overwritten.
In cases of bleacher collapses, there are often multiple victims suing at once. Filing quickly can help ensure your case is not lost in the shuffle.
Call Our Bleacher Collapse Lawyers in Chicago Today
For help with your potential case, call (312) 578-8502 to speak with Rhatigan Law Offices’ bleacher collapse attorneys right away.
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