Holding event promoters liable for concert injuries and deaths

Summer is concert season here in New York and around the country. To be sure, live music is available at all times of year, but summer is generally associated with large concerts at outdoor venues, sometimes as single performances and sometimes as week-long festivals.

Unfortunately, there are hazards associated with concerts beyond overpriced drinks and overly loud music. Negligent security, inadequate medical staffing and generally unsafe premises are resulting in an alarming number of injuries and deaths. This year alone, there have been 17 fatalities associated with music festivals around the country, according to a recent news article.

Event promoters obviously cannot prevent all injuries attendees may suffer. There is only so much that can be done to prevent the ingestion of illegal drugs or the overconsumption of alcohol and the dangerous behaviors that often result. But these are not the only hazards that put concertgoers in danger.

Regardless of whether the venue is indoor or outdoor, it is crucial for event promoters to work with local government officials to ensure adequate security and overall premises safety. This includes:

• Hiring enough security staff and training/deploying them properly
• Hiring enough on-site medical staff and ensuring that they can respond quickly to medical emergencies
• Taking adequate steps to ensure that illegal drugs and weapons are not brought into the venue
• Taking adequate steps to ensure that visibly intoxicated attendees are not allowed to continue purchasing and consuming alcohol
• Ensuring that stages and other structures are properly constructed to prevent collapse and other failures

With so many people in a party environment, some injuries and accidents are to be expected. But most injuries and all fatalities should be preventable. They are certainly not to be dismissed as simply “the cost of doing business.”

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as the result of negligent security or other concert hazards, you do have legal rights and options. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Source: Asbury Park Press, “As tragic incidents rise, concert safety gets new look,” Patrick Ryan, Aug. 5, 2014