A trip to the American Airlines Center in the heart of Victory Park should be an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re cheering on the Dallas Mavericks as they light up the court or feeling the intense energy of a Dallas Stars hockey game, the last thing you expect is to leave with a serious injury. Unfortunately, accidents can happen anywhere, even at our favorite sports and entertainment venues.
If you were hurt due to unsafe conditions, it's important to understand that property owners have a responsibility to keep their visitors reasonably safe. An unexpected injury at the American Airlines Center can raise many questions about who is responsible and what steps you can take to seek accountability.
Reach out to a Dallas premises liability lawyer today to review your American Airlines Center injury claim and fight for the compensation you deserve with a free consultation.
Key Takeaways about Injuries at the American Airlines Center
- Property owners, including large venues like the American Airlines Center, have a legal duty to maintain a reasonably safe environment for their guests.
- Injuries at sports arenas can result from various hazards, such as wet floors, broken stairs, poor lighting, or inadequate security.
- A legal concept known as "premises liability" often governs these types of injury cases, focusing on whether the property owner's negligence caused the harm.
- Multiple parties, including the venue operator, third-party vendors, or security companies, could potentially be held responsible for an injury.
- The "assumption of risk" doctrine may apply to injuries inherent to the sport (like a stray puck), but it does not protect a venue from liability for unsafe property conditions.
- Individuals injured due to negligence may be able to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other related damages.
Understanding Premises Liability at Dallas Sports Venues
When you get hurt on someone else's property because of a dangerous condition, the legal principles that apply fall under an area of law called premises liability. In simple terms, this means that property owners and operators in Texas have a legal obligation, or a "duty of care," to protect visitors from foreseeable harm.
For a massive, busy place like the American Airlines Center, which hosts hundreds of events and welcomes millions of fans each year, this duty is significant. It means the management team must regularly inspect the property, fix known hazards, and warn guests about any dangers that can't be fixed immediately. If they fail to meet this standard of care and someone gets hurt as a result, they may be considered negligent.
The specific responsibilities are outlined in state law, including in the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 75, which addresses the liability of property owners.
Common Causes of Injuries at the American Airlines Center
An injury can happen in a split second and change an exciting evening into a period of pain and uncertainty. While some accidents are unavoidable, many injuries at large venues are preventable and happen because of hazardous conditions.
Some of the more frequent causes of injuries at arenas and stadiums include:
- Slip and Fall Incidents: With thousands of fans enjoying food and drinks, spills are inevitable. If staff doesn't clean up spilled sodas, beer, or melted ice in a timely manner, it can create dangerously slick surfaces on the concourse floors or in restrooms.
- Trip and Fall Hazards: Obstacles in walkways, torn carpeting, poorly lit stairwells, or cracked pavement in the parking areas can easily cause someone to trip and suffer a serious fall.
- Defective or Broken Elements: A broken handrail on a steep set of stairs, a defective seat that collapses, or a loose tile on the floor can all lead directly to an injury.
- Inadequate Security: If the venue fails to provide enough security personnel to manage large crowds or to address altercations between patrons, innocent bystanders can be harmed. This also includes poor crowd control measures that lead to people being pushed or trampled.
These examples highlight how a failure to maintain the property can have serious consequences for fans who are simply there to enjoy a game or concert.
Who Could Be Held Responsible for an Injury at a Stars or Mavs Game?
Determining who is legally responsible for an injury at a large venue like the American Airlines Center can be complex. It isn't always just one person or company at fault. A thorough investigation may reveal that responsibility lies with one or more parties.
- The Venue Owner/Operator: The primary entity responsible for the overall safety and maintenance of the property is the company that owns and operates it. They are in charge of ensuring the building, from the parking garage to the upper-level seats, is free of unreasonable dangers.
- Third-Party Vendors: The American Airlines Center hosts numerous independent businesses, such as food and beverage concession stands, merchandise sellers, and janitorial services. If your injury was caused by the carelessness of an employee of one of these vendors—for example, a concession worker who created a spill and didn't clean it up—that company could be held liable.
- Security Companies: The venue often contracts with a private security firm to manage crowds and ensure fan safety. If inadequate security measures or the actions (or inaction) of a security guard contributed to your injury, the security company might share responsibility.
Identifying the correct party or parties is a crucial step in pursuing fair compensation for the harm you have suffered.
The Role of Negligence in Your American Airlines Center Injury Claim
For any premises liability claim to be successful, you must be able to show that your injury was caused by negligence. Legally, negligence means that a person or company failed to use the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would have used under the same circumstances.
To prove negligence, you generally need to establish four key things:
- Duty: The at-fault party had a legal duty to keep you safe (as discussed above).
- Breach: They breached, or violated, that duty by failing to act reasonably (e.g., not cleaning a spill for an hour).
- Causation: This failure directly caused your injuries (e.g., because the floor was wet, you slipped and broke your arm).
- Damages: You suffered actual harm, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain.
If all four of these elements can be demonstrated, you may have a strong case for holding the negligent party accountable.
What to Do After Sustaining an Injury at the American Airlines Center
It’s a good idea to start documenting everything related to the incident and your injuries as soon as you are able.
- Write Down Every Detail: While the memory is fresh, write down exactly what happened. Note the date, time, and specific location of the incident within the arena. Describe the conditions that caused your injury, what you were doing right before it happened, and any staff you spoke with.
- Organize Your Records: Create a file to keep all related documents in one place. This should include all medical records, bills from the hospital or doctors, receipts for prescriptions, and any correspondence from the venue or its insurance company.
- Preserve Any Physical Evidence: If you have anything that shows what happened, keep it in a safe place. This could be the shoes you were wearing or any torn or damaged clothing from the fall. Photos or videos of the scene and your injuries are also extremely valuable.
- Track Your Recovery and Expenses: Keep a simple journal to note your pain levels, medical appointments, and any days you had to miss from work. This helps document the full impact the injury has had on your life.
These actions can provide a strong foundation if you decide to seek compensation for your losses.
The "Assumption of Risk" Defense and How It Applies
When people attend sporting events, there's a legal concept called assumption of risk that sometimes comes into play. This idea suggests that attendees voluntarily accept certain risks that are inherent to the activity. For example, at a Dallas Stars game, there's a small but known risk of a puck flying into the stands.
However, this defense has its limits. It does not give property owners a free pass to be careless about maintaining their facilities.
- Assumption of risk applies to dangers that are a normal and expected part of the game itself.
- It does not apply to dangers created by the venue's negligence, such as a slippery floor, a broken staircase, or a loose railing.
You do not assume the risk of being injured because the venue operator failed to take reasonable steps to keep the concourse safe or the stairwells properly lit. These are maintenance and safety responsibilities that every guest has a right to expect.
Types of Compensation You May Be Able to Recover
A serious injury can create significant financial and personal hardships. The purpose of a personal injury claim is to recover compensation, often referred to as "damages," to help make you whole again. The goal is to put you back in the financial position you were in before the accident occurred.
Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be able to seek recovery for several types of damages:
- Medical Expenses: This includes all costs related to your medical care, such as ambulance rides, emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, and any future medical treatment you may need.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: If your injury caused you to miss work, you can seek compensation for the income you lost. If the injury affects your ability to earn a living in the future, you may also be compensated for that loss of earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensates you for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury and its effect on your daily life.
- Disfigurement or Physical Impairment: If the injury resulted in scarring, amputation, or a permanent disability, you may be entitled to additional compensation.
Every case is unique, and the amount of compensation depends entirely on the facts, the severity of the injury, and the total losses incurred.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help with Your Claim
Pursuing a claim against a large corporation that operates a major venue like the American Airlines Center can feel like a tough fight. Their legal and insurance teams are experienced in handling these matters and often focus on minimizing the amount they have to pay. Having a dedicated legal advocate on your side can level the playing field.
A personal injury lawyer can handle all aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on your health and recovery. This includes conducting a detailed investigation into the incident, gathering crucial evidence like witness statements and surveillance footage, and identifying all potentially liable parties. They will manage all communications with the insurance companies and skillfully build a case designed to demonstrate the other party’s negligence and the full extent of your damages.
An attorney will work to achieve a fair settlement but will also be prepared to take your case to court if the opposition is unwilling to offer a just resolution.
Injuries at the American Airlines Center FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions people have after being injured at a large sports or entertainment venue in Dallas.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit for an injury in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years from the date the injury occurred. This is a strict deadline, and if you miss it, you will likely lose your right to file a lawsuit and seek compensation. It is always wise to consult with an attorney well before this deadline approaches.
What if I was partially at fault for my accident at the American Airlines Center?
Texas follows a legal rule called "modified comparative fault" or proportionate responsibility. Under this rule, you can still recover damages as long as you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident. However, your total compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Is it important to report my injury to the American Airlines Center staff at the time it happens?
Yes, if you are able. Reporting the incident to on-site management or security right after it happens creates an official record of the event. This incident report can be a valuable piece of evidence in your claim. If you were unable to report it because you needed immediate medical care, you should still contact them as soon as possible.
Can I still have a claim if I was injured in the parking lot or garage?
Absolutely. The property owner's duty of care extends to all areas they control, including parking lots, garages, and walkways leading into the arena. Hazards like poor lighting, large potholes, or inadequate security in these areas can also be grounds for a premises liability claim if they lead to an injury.
What is the most important evidence for an injury case at a large venue?
Photographic and video evidence of the hazardous condition that caused your injury is often the most powerful. If you or someone with you was able to take pictures or videos of the spill, broken step, or other hazard right after the incident, it can be extremely helpful. Witness contact information and an official incident report are also very important.
The Muscle You Need for the Fight Ahead
When an injury disrupts your life, you need a strong advocate to stand up for your rights. At DFW Injury Lawyers, we are committed to helping people in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, and across the DFW metroplex hold negligent parties accountable. We understand the challenges you are facing and are prepared to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. We treat every case as if it is going to trial, dedicating our full resources and attention to achieving the best possible outcome for you.
If you were injured at the American Airlines Center or any other venue, don’t hesitate to get the help you need. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Dallas personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.
Pedro “Peter” de la Cerda
Founder
Attorney Pedro “Peter” de la Cerda is a co-founder of DFW Injury Lawyers. As a young attorney looking for courtroom experience, Mr. de la Cerda began his career defending physicians, nurses, hospitals, trucking, and manufacturing companies in disputes involving personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability, and toxic tort. After seeing many people who were truly injured and deserving of fair compensation, however, Mr. de la Cerda was moved to cross the courtroom aisle and prosecute cases on behalf of plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
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