Erie, Pennsylvania, Bleacher Accident Injury Attorneys

Erie may not be the largest city in the region, but it is a veritable sports powerhouse, home not only to the Erie SeaWolves and championship-winning Erie Otters but dozens of competitive high school and collegiate programs. Several of Erie’s largest stadiums—including UPMC Park and the Erie Insurance Arena—house facilities that can accommodate thousands of guests. Spending an afternoon out, whether to watch baseball or ice hockey, can be fun for the entire family. However, going out to see a live game is not always without risk. Old or mismanaged stadiums can be rife with danger, often where guests least expect it.

Bleachers are sometimes as dangerous as they are uncomfortable. While Pennsylvania sets stringent safety regulations for stadiums across the Keystone State, older bleachers were not always manufactured to modern standards. If they are not properly retrofitted or reconstructed, bleachers could pose a significant risk to athletes, employees, and the general public.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. is committed to providing our clients with the highest level of personal injury service. If you or a loved one have been injured in an Erie, Pennsylvania, bleacher accident that was not your fault, our experienced team of attorneys could help you file a claim for recompense. Since 2005, Jed Dietrich, Esq., has secured more than $175 million in damages from negligent businesses, reckless contractors, and other wrongdoers. We could help you, too. Please send us a message online or call us at 814-839-3939 as soon as possible to schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission is broadly responsible for bleacher safety regulations and guidance. In a recent 9-year period, the Consumer Production Safety Commission recorded the following alarming statistics:

1. An estimated 19,100 Americans were injured or around bleachers annually;
2. One out of every three bleacher-related falls and injuries involved children under the age of 15; and
3. A significant percentage of falls required emergency room care.

According to government researchers, bleachers pose several significant risks. These risks include the following:

1. Falls: Visitors and workers could fall from poorly maintained bleachers if there are no guardrails along the back or other open sides. Gaps between rows of bleachers, as well as uneven surfaces, could also endanger attendees.
2. Collapse: The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has found that manually operated telescopic bleachers could collapse if they are not operated properly. Permanent bleachers, including those used in large sporting arenas, could also collapse or loosen if their structural integrity is threatened by poor maintenance.
3. Obstructions: Pennsylvania law requires that all property owners make a reasonable effort to ensure that their premises are free from foreseeable hazards. Stadium managers, for instance, are required to regularly clean bleachers and amend obstructive obstacles, such as loose wiring and uneven steps.

When schools and sports venues abrogate their legal duty to maintain safe premises, they could be held liable for any resulting injuries. However, negotiating a fair settlement could prove challenging without the right representation. The at-fault entity, or their defense attorney, might allege that you caused or contributed to your accident by acting negligently.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. knows what it takes to build the compelling, evidence-based claim needed to overcome a defense attorney’s arguments. When we accept a new case, we rigorously investigate the circumstances underlying a client’s accident, collecting the physical evidence, eyewitness testimony, and expert opinions needed to prevail in court. Do not lose your opportunity to ascertain justice: call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. at 814-839-3939 today.

Bleacher accidents have a variety of potential causes, including but not limited to the following:

1. Slip and fall accidents;
2. Premises liability accidents; and
3. Bleacher manufacturing defects.

However, bleacher accident-related injuries often share certain common characteristics. Most bleacher accidents, for instance, involve both falls and blunt force trauma. A bleacher injury could include any of the following:

1. Severe bruising or contusions;
2. Cuts or lacerations;
3. Broken or fractured bones;
4. Neck, back, or spinal cord injuries;
5. Traumatic head injuries; and
6. Wrongful death.

Pennsylvania law affords bleacher accident victims the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person or party who caused their accident. The defendants in a bleacher injury lawsuit could include any of the following:

1. Another visitor;
2. A stadium employee;
3. A sports team;
4. A property management company or contractor;
5. A school district or other government agency; and
6. The bleacher manufacturer.

Since the Keystone State does not limit the damages that personal injury claimants could receive in a successful action, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. could help you recover the compensation you need to begin reclaiming your independence. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you could receive damages for the following:

1. Your medical expenses;
2. Physical rehabilitation;
3. Therapy;
4. Lost income from work;
5. Diminished earning potential;
6. Emotional pain and suffering;
7. Loss of enjoyment;
8. Loss of companionship;
9. Disability; and
10. Wrongful death.

While Pennsylvania does not limit the compensation in most bleacher accident injury claims, the Keystone State has a statute of limitations, which is a special law restricting how long accident victims have to file a claim for compensation. If you do not take rapid action, the statute of limitations could expire. Once the statute of limitations lapses, the court could dismiss your claim automatically.

Taking on a sports league or prominent local school district could seem intimidating—but it does not have to be challenging. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has years of experience standing up to wrongdoers in Erie and across the region. Our experienced bleacher injury lawyers could help you collect the evidence needed to show that a reckless visitor, negligent stadium manager, or careless school district violated its duty to maintain safe premises. Please send us a message online or call us at 814-839-3939 to speak to an attorney and explore your options for effective legal relief.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 814-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Erie, Pennsylvania. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!