I was at a large basketball tournament, their were about 60 teams, people panicked and thought they heard gunshots all running towards any exit they could get out. We all got up when we saw all the people running at us, we were seated by one of the doors. All we heard is get out of here, run there’s a shooter. My husband and I got up found my granddaughter and my husband said run and keep running out the door. I got Out the door Probably a few yards and fell very hard on the ground. A big lady picked me up and yelled you have to keep going, run, I was crying and yelling for my husband . Eventually I was taken by ambulance to the hospital They sent me out of there in a sling with pain pills . I found out later I tore my rotator cuff. & had to have surgery. It was a very painful injury, painful surgery and a very long painful recovery. The owner of The basketball tournament and the owner of the building do not want to pay anything. They feel there is no case. There were no security guards down on the floor where the basketball tournament was & there were about four of them On the above floor which were entrances to the event. I’m looking for a second and fresh opinion.
Paul F. OliveriPersonal Injury LawyerNew York, NYNY licensed ·
When you say that you are "... looking for a second and fresh opinion.", are you referring to the owners who "... do not want to pay anything."? You need the input of a good lawyer who will look out for your best interests. And if you've already spoken to a lawyer who declined to represent you, be persistent and contact more lawyers. It is indeed possible, based upon applicable facts and law concerning reasonable security and precautions, that you have a meritorious claim. Search for a local qualified personal injury lawyer to explore any available legal options. Good luck!
The basketball tournament may have some liability for the security failures attached to this event, and maybe from crowd size and crowd control violations in the arena. There may be some local ordinance violations that apply here. The owner of the building, though, may be insulated from liability for your injuries.
Based on your post it was an emergency situation and not negligence on the part of anyone. A business or property owner is not going to be required to hire security and take measures for gunshots and panic. An injury does not necessarily mean someone else is liable. As suggest, speak with good, reputable lawyers and accept their opinion.
If the event security did not search for what later turned out to be some kind of explosive noise device then liability could be found on the business because it was foreseeable that panic would ensue if the device went off and folks would be injured. The police report would detail what caused this explosive noise.
Lars A. LundeenPersonal Injury LawyerRutland, VT ·
I do not see where the building owner nor tournament promoter did anything to breach a duty owed to you when unexpected sounds of shots rang out. They could have had a thousand security officers present. How would that have changed the outcome if there is an hysterical rush of people to get out the doors, just as you did? Not every injury has a legal remedy. Hopefully you had medical insurance to help pay on your bills. You might have your attorney inquire if there is any medical payments coverage on the arena's general liability policy. If so, you could collect on your medical bills up to the limit of that med pay coverage.
