A mass gathering is a term used to describe an event that brings together thousands of people. The term refers to public gatherings, such as parades other than professional sporting events, political protests, and concerts in which the attendees are not charged admission.
Injuries sustained at a mass gathering often occur due to the fact that there are large amounts of people in close quarters. There is often not enough room to move around, which leads to more accidents.
Mass gatherings are frequently planned events where large amounts of the general public have been invited or allowed entrance to a venue or event by its organizer(s). These events can occur anywhere from a local neighborhood park, civic center, school arena, convention center, or stadium.
Mass gatherings can be extremely dangerous to your health if you do not know what to expect from the event. It is important that you understand the significant risks and dangers that may be involved in order to protect yourself. Keep reading for more information about mass gatherings and how you can get legal assistance after an injury occurs. A seasoned premises liability attorney at our firm could help you seek damages following an injury. Call now to speak with a Las Vegas mass gathering injury lawyer at Shook & Stone.
What to Expect at a Mass Gathering
Mass gatherings are typically advertised in mass media, such as the newspaper or on TV. They may be free or cost money, and there are often restrictions for entrance (i.e. certain people must have tickets). You should always contact the organizer of an event prior to attendance to ask about any prohibited items, what to expect from the event, and how you should act while attending.
Mass gatherings in Las Vegas are not particularly well known for providing good safety practices and planning, which is why injuries occur so frequently at these events. For example:
Many people who attend mass gatherings simply do not know where an exit route is located or if there even is one.
The crowding of people is a major concern among safety experts. It’s important to never push, shove or move in ways that could potentially injure others. You should also remember not to carry anything with you (like a baby stroller or backpack) that may pose a hazard for others near you.
Injuries at Mass Gatherings
Many injuries that occur at mass gatherings in Las Vegas are due to the factors discussed above. These are some of the most common types of injuries sustained:
- Broken bones
- Injuries from falls or physical contact with others
- Burns
- Assaults & Violence
- Gun Shot Victims
- Cut’s Bruises
- Wrongful Death
The Dangers of Mass Gatherings in Nevada
As an example, in 2017 MGM Resorts International was ordered to pay a settlement to victims of the mass shooting of concert goers of the Las Vegas Strip Shooting in which killed 47 people and injured more than 850 at an open-air concert near the Mandalay Bay.
The victims of the mass shooting were not only those who were injured or killed, but also family members and others who witnessed this tragic event.
If you are a victim of a mass gathering injury that was not your fault, you should contact an experienced attorney to find out what legal rights you have. An attorney can help make sure that negligent parties are held responsible for their actions.
The mass gathering injury attorneys at our law firm are ready to help you, if you or a loved one was injured in a mass event or gathering such as an accident at the Las Vegas Speedway or during the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Festival. Don’t allow another person’s negligence and disregard for safety affect your life and future. You deserve to be compensated for the injuries you have sustained.
Attorney Tip: You should know what kinds of services are available, how large they are and where they are located before the event.
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Insurance Companies and Blame in Mass Gatherings
Many of the mass gatherings that take place in Nevada cause injuries. In fact, Las Vegas alone has seen several large events that have injured thousands of people. It is important for you to know how insurance companies handle these cases so that you can ensure that you receive all of your benefits and compensation after suffering an injury.
If another party is found to be at fault for your injuries, then you can file a personal injury claim in Nevada against that party. If the event is organized by a company or government entity, they are typically covered by official event insurance providers.
If an organizer does not have enough liability coverage to cover all of the victims’ damages combined, then the victim’s claims must be filed against the Nevada’s citizens’ fund.
Personal Injury Attorneys in Nevada for Mass Gathering Accidents
If you were injured at a mass gathering, it is important that you speak with a well-practiced Las Vegas attorney as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer will be able to prove which party was responsible for your injuries and will expect all of the injuries that you have sustained.
If you are in Las Vegas and are injured at a mass gathering, an experienced lawyer can help make sure all of your rights and interests are protected. Contact our offices today to find out what kind of compensation you may be able to recover if you are hurt in a mass gathering accident.
How Event Planners Fail in Mass Gathering Safety
Proving negligence in a Las Vegas mass gathering accident is difficult. Sometimes, event planners do their best to control the amount of people who attend events.
However, when there are accidents and injuries occur, it can be hard to prove that there was negligence on the part of the organizers. Venues for major gatherings have held numerous events without an incident in the past decades.
There are some keys to proving the event organizers failed a duty of care:
How Event Planners Fail in Mass Gathering Safety
- Overcrowding and Crowd Control
- Event Access Points
- Fire Safety Measures
- Medical Preparedness
- Emergency Response
Overcrowding and Crowd Control
There must be an adequate number of staff members to help direct the movement of large crowds. The number of people who are allowed in a certain area should also be considered.
Private security guards and police officers can provide assistance with crowd control. However, depending on the size of the event’s crowd, this may not always be sufficient to handle all of the participants.
Event Access Points
In order to prevent injury from overcrowding, event organizers should ensure emergency access points are available to attendees for their exit when necessary. Venues must also be equipped with adequate exits in case of fire or other emergency situations. Inadequate exits will result in injuries and can cause panic in a crowd that may lead to more injuries.
Fire Safety Measures
There should be a number of fire exits and extinguishers throughout the venue, such as at water coolers or cooking stations. Organizers must also ensure there is adequate space between any flammable objects and combustible materials.
This includes tents, paper products and other items that can cause injury if they catch fire, especially for those who are intoxicated.
Organizers must make sure there is an adequate number of emergency exits in case of a fire or other emergency. This will help to ensure that people can exit the premises quickly and safely without getting hurt trying navigate crowded areas and trying to go over fences or through windows. If there are too many attendees, a crowd will build up, causing injury from pushing and shoving.
Medical Preparedness
Unless the show is a comedy or concert, medical staff should be available at all times. If there are any injuries requiring emergency attention, medical facilities should be immediately accessible. Hospitals are open 24 hours per day for those who need treatment, but not all emergency rooms are equipped to handle the number of people who may come in after an event.
Organizers should ensure there is a clear path for those who need immediate attention, and that any injured parties will reach medical facilities quickly. Emergency response vehicles must also be available to help transport those needing further care or take individuals to the hospital.
Emergency Response
Using an experienced incident response company is critical to maintaining a safe environment. Organizing event staff as well should address the issue immediately instead of waiting for help from off-site emergency responders that may be delayed due to traffic or other issues. Event organizers should have no less than two people nearby at all times in case of an accident, and the off-site emergency response team should be available to provide immediate assistance.
Organizers, venue staff and participants may all be negligent in their duty of care towards the safety of attendees. A lot can go wrong when large crowds gather at one place, like injuries from pushing and shoving during a race or stampede following a panic or public health emergency. If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of event organizers, contact us today for help.
After an Injury at a Mass Gathering
If you have sustained injuries due to the negligence of a person or party, then you may be entitled to compensation for your losses and expenses incurred. To explore your options after an injury occurs at a mass gathering, contact an experienced Las Vegas mass gathering injury attorney today for more information about your legal rights and options.
Nevada Statute of Limitations on Mass Gathering Injury
In Nevada, the statute of limitations means there is a time limit on bringing a personal injury claim. You must file a claim within two years after being injured or receiving further medical care, whichever happens first. This implies that if you need more treatment after a year has passed, you should add another year to your time frame.
Mass Gatherings and Crowd Injuries Compensation
For individuals who are injured during a mass gathering, the damages they may be entitled to compensation for include treatments costs and expenses as determined by their physical condition at the time of injury. An attorney representing an individual may also seek out punitive and financial damages for the injury, which could include items such as:
- Medical bills related to fixing broken bones or injuries sustained during the accident.
- Pain & suffering
- Lost wages and disability paychecks after being forced to take time off work.
- Permanent scarring on the body due to an injury or burn received from the accident.
- Property damage sustained by the injury, including lost or destroyed property such as wedding and other special occasion dresses.
- Damages related to emotional distress following a serious burn, trauma or disfigurement.
Get in Touch With a Las Vegas Mass Gathering Injury Attorney
Shook & Stone are aggressive personal injury attorneys in Las Vegas, Nevada. Our experienced legal team can help you get maximum compensation for your injuries.
If you have been injured in an accident at a mass gathering or event due to someone’s negligence, then contact us for more information on your legal rights and to schedule your free consultation with a Las Vegas mass gathering injury lawyer.
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