At a recent Atlanta Braves game, a man fell from the upper deck of Turner Field. The 60-year old fan was a long-time attendee to Atlanta’s Turner Field, but during the seventh inning of the Braves-Yankees game, the man fell from the upper deck and ended at the bottom of the stairs. According to CNN, the cause of the fall has not yet been determined, but police do not suspect that there was foul play.
The man, Gregory Murrey, had a family and grandchildren. He loved the Atlanta Braves and had been a season ticket holder with the same seat for more than 20 years. While paramedics worked on him for several minutes, Murrey passed that night. An autopsy will be performed to help determine the actual cause of death, but Murrey’s fall and tragic death is not the first time a fan has been injured at a baseball stadium.
Past Injuries
In 2013, a man committed suicide by jumping from the upper level of Turner Field, which is about 85 feet. In 2011, a 39-year old man had fallen to his death while attempting to catch a ball at a Texas Rangers game. He had lost his balance and flipped over the railing of the outfield – landing headfirst into a scoreboard. In 2011, another man was trying to slide down the railing of Coors Field at a Rockies game. He fell and later died. That man, however, had been found to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time.
There are also numerous incidents of fans being injured by foul balls or broken bats at the game – including serious brain injuries. Those that have attended baseball games at local stadiums are more than aware of the steep steps that take fans to and from their seats; therefore, it is no surprise that someone could trip and fall down those same stairs.
Premise Liability and Fan Injuries
When a fan is injured at a baseball field, it may be a viable premise liability case. However, determining liability in these types of cases is complex. When it comes to being struck by a foul ball or bat, the field’s safety precautions are taken into consideration. For example, the woman that was struck by a broken bat at Fenway Park in June 2015 suffered from life-threatening injuries. Because Fenway Park has very little netting to protect spectators, courts could consider them liable for her injuries.
That being said, there is an assumption of risk for baseball spectators. However, the field’s owner is still required to protect all fans on their premises – which includes providing adequate netting. Failure to provide any precautions could result in serious injury and the field could be held liable.
Injured at a Sporting Event? Contact a Kansas City Personal Injury Attorney
Sporting events are meant to be fun and exciting – not dangerous for spectators. If you have been injured at a sporting event and suffered from serious injuries, contact Horn Law today. Schedule a consultation online or call (816) 795-7500.
