Fairs and festivals are staples in Oklahoma. These family-friendly events offer a blend of cultural enrichment, entertainment, and community engagement.
However, amidst the lively atmosphere of fairs and festivals, serious accidents can happen leading to severe injuries. If you’ve been injured at a fair or festival, you might be wondering about your legal rights and whether you can pursue a lawsuit for your injuries.
Here’s what to know about seeking compensation after injuries at these events.
Understanding Liability at Public Events in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, the liability for injuries at public events typically hinges on whether the event organizers were negligent and their negligence led to your injuries.
Event organizers, property owners, and vendors have a legal duty to ensure the safety of the attendees. This duty involves providing a reasonably safe environment, maintaining the premises, and promptly addressing any potential hazards.
If an attendee is injured and it can be proven that the injury was due to the failure of the responsible party (such as the event organizer, property owner, or a vendor) to uphold their duty of care, that party may be held liable for the injury.
This can include situations where there was a failure to:
- Properly set up and maintain attractions, stages, or seating
- Adequately train and supervise staff or volunteers
- Ensure food and drink safety
- Provide sufficient security
- Address known hazards in a timely manner
What Are Common Injuries at Fairs and Festivals in Oklahoma?
Injuries at fairs and festivals in Oklahoma can range from minor to severe and may include:
- Slip and Fall Accidents: Spilled drinks or uneven ground can lead to slips and falls. These incidents can result in sprains, fractures, or more severe injuries, especially in crowded conditions where it’s difficult to navigate safely.
- Ride-Related Injuries: Mechanical rides are a major attraction at many fairs and festivals. Malfunctions, improper operation, or failure to properly secure riders can lead to falls or collisions. Injuries can range from minor bruises to serious head, neck, or back injuries.
- Food Poisoning: With a wide variety of food vendors, food poisoning is a risk, especially if food is not properly stored, handled, or cooked. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. In severe cases, food poisoning can result in hospitalization and life-threatening complications.
- Overexertion and Heat-Related Illnesses: Oklahoma’s hot summers can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, especially in crowded and open areas with little shade. In some cases, public event organizers can be held liable for cases of heat stroke if they fail to provide shaded areas or access to water to attendees.
- Injuries from Crowds: Inadequate crowd control can lead to trampling, fights, or being struck by thrown objects. This risk is particularly pronounced during highly attended events or in emergency situations where crowds may panic.
- Vehicle Accidents: Parking areas for large events can be chaotic, leading to vehicle accidents involving pedestrians or other vehicles.
- Injuries from Animals: At fairs that include livestock or petting zoos, there’s a risk of being bitten, kicked, or otherwise injured by animals.
- Structural Collapse: Temporary structures like stages, tents, or seating areas can collapse if not properly constructed or maintained, leading to injuries for occupants.
Steps to Take After an Injury
If you suffer an injury at a fair or festival, taking immediate steps is crucial for your health and any future legal action:
- Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if the injury seems minor, some symptoms may not appear immediately.
- Report the Incident: Notify the event organizers or property owners about the injury. Official documentation can be critical in a legal claim.
- Collect Evidence: If possible, take photos of the area where the injury occurred and gather contact information from any witnesses.
- Keep Records: Maintain a file of all medical records, expenses related to the injury (such as medical bills), and any correspondence related to the incident (such as from medical providers, event organizers, insurance representatives, or police officers).
- Get Legal Representation: Injuries suffered at fairs and festivals can be painful and disabling. Having a lawyer on your side from day one can help you protect your rights to maximum compensation.
Contact Our Oklahoma Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
When you travel to a fair or festival in Oklahoma, you expect to have a fun and safe time. But fairs and festivals aren’t always safe for all guests. Whether you suffered an injury due to known hazards, or hazards that should have been known about by the event organizer, you deserve compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, our Oklahoma slip and fall injury attorneys work hard to help people who were injured on others’ property, including property used for public events like fairs and festivals. If you or someone you love was injured at a public event, we want to hear from you. Contact us today for a free case review.
