Madison Square Garden Accidents

Accidents happen, even in one of the biggest and most storied arenas in the United States; the Madison Square Garden. When you attend events at this venue, known for hosting some of the biggest events in the country's history, from sports all the way to different forms of entertainment, it's important to be aware of potential risks to ensure your safety.  

But before we dive into the details of some common accidents that can occur and what to do if you or a loved one falls victim, don't hesitate to fill out our free case evaluation form if you think you might have a case against them. Our premises liability attorneys are familiar with Madison Square Garden accidents and may be able to help.

Elevator and Escalator Accidents

The size and architectural design of Madison Square Garden make elevators, escalators, or wheelchair lifts some of the most common means of transportation within the facilities. If these machines are not properly maintained per industry standards, they can lead to serious accidents and injuries. The same applies if there are defective parts within the machines.

Falling Objects

No doubt that the Garden, as it is fondly referred to by the locals and visitors, is a fascinating structure and a symbol of human art and architecture at its best. But with the elevated ceilings and nearly 18,000 people housed within its walls during most events, that alone could be a recipe for disaster. Objects falling from the ceiling, such as signage, chandeliers, lighting fixtures, or even those thrown by unruly spectators, can lead to serious injuries. 

Assault

Madison Square Garden can accommodate up to 19,500 people. Bear in mind that some of the people in the crowd may exhibit rowdy behavior sometimes due to excessive alcohol consumption. If you or a loved one has been assaulted at this venue, you may have a valid case.

Slips and Falls

Slip or trip and fall accidents can occur for various reasons within Madison Square Garden. The sad truth is that some of these accidents may occur due to the owner's negligence. Other times, a third party may be held liable. 

Concession stands and dining areas may be prone to slip and fall accidents, especially due to spilled beverages. Keep in mind that many people buy drinks from vendors within the building, increasing the likelihood of encountering wet floors caused by spilled drinks. 

The same applies to instances of wet floors near entrances and exits caused by inclement weather or overwaxing. In some cases, slip and fall accidents may occur on carpets with rips, including areas with uneven or cracked pavement. Lastly, poor lighting in walkways or stairwells may also be the reason you or a loved one slips and falls at Madison Square Garden. 

An Overview of Real-Life Accidents at Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden has a history of being on the wrong side of the law, causing harm to visitors at the venue, and sometimes, individuals minding their own business away from the arena.

A good example is the lawsuit filed in March 2008 against the popular arena. According to the lawsuit, the staff at the Garden continued to serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated off-duty police officer, who later crashed his SUV, killing a two-year-old boy and injuring the mother. 

Earlier in 2007, a 66-year-old man filed a lawsuit against MSG after getting injured on a stationary escalator while leaving the venue after a basketball game. 

Fast forward to March 2023, a son of a popular restaurateur in New York City died after getting injured in an accident during a hockey game at Madison Square Garden. 

Determining Liability for Your Accident at Madison Square Garden

Liability for injuries sustained at Madison Square Garden could fall on different parties. The most important thing you need to know is that the unique circumstances of your case will determine who may be responsible for the injuries you or a loved one sustained at this venue. 

How Madison Square Garden Could Be Liable 

Secondly, New York's negligence law requires owners and managers of the venue to prioritize visitor safety. Part of this duty includes: 

• Keeping the premises free from unreasonable harm.
• Warning visitors about unavoidable dangers.
• Addressing any hazardous conditions by getting rid of them within a reasonable timeframe.

How Third Parties May Bear Some Degree of Liability 

In some cases, third parties, such as maintenance and cleaning crews, may be to blame for injuries at this venue. For example, let's say you got injured after slipping and falling on a slippery floor.

In such a case, we will look at the circumstances that led to the accident. Questions such as whether the cleaning staff had sufficient training to keep these areas safe even while executing their duties will likely arise in these situations. 

If the cleaning crew was contracted by a third-party company, which is usually the case, we would want to know whether the third party was negligent in hiring their cleaners. Cleaning such massive arenas requires extensive training on public safety, something some of these contracting companies often overlook.

Elements of an Accident Claim at Madison Garden

When you contact us for a free evaluation, one of the things we'll do is determine whether your case meets the basic requirements of filing a premises liability claim after an injury sustained at such a venue. 

Duty of Care 

First, we will establish whether Madison Square had a legal obligation to ensure your safety during your visit to the venue. Contrary to popular belief, being at such a venue does not entirely mean that the owner or other third parties owe you a duty of care. The reason for your presence at the venue will determine whether Madison Square Garden owes you a duty of care. 

For example, one of these requirements is that you must prove that you were at the venue legally. If you fail to prove this element, you may not have a valid case, even if evidence confirms that you got injured at the facility.

Think of someone who bought tickets to attend a concert at the venue as an example. If that person gets injured at the venue during the concert, the owners or other third parties may be liable. But the same cannot be said about someone who did not have the right to be at the venue, either because they did not buy a ticket or for any other reason. 

Breach of Duty

Next, we will need to prove that the at-fault party, which could be the management or third party in this case, failed to fulfill their duty of care. In other words, their actions or inactions allowed the hazardous condition to persist.

An example of an action that could lead to injury at such a venue is when the management allows contractors to conduct repairs while the venue is still packed with visitors. If construction equipment falls on any of the visitors, injuring them, the managed of the venue and owners of the construction company may be liable. 

On the other hand, if the cleaners knew or should have known that a particular area had wet floors but did not do anything to clean up the wetness within a reasonable time, that could count as inaction.

Action or inaction, all these two cases amount to a form of negligence, often referred to as the 'breach of duty.'

Causation

The third element involves proving that the actions or negligence of the at-fault party directly caused your injury. In other words, there must be a clear link between their actions or lack of it (as discussed above) and the harm you suffered.

Damages

Lastly, if you have a valid claim, you may be able to seek compensation for your damages. In order to fully understand exactly what you may be entitled to, you'll need to prove the damages you incurred. The specific damages will depend on the nature of your case, but generally, you may be able to recover compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. 

If the case goes to court and the judge or jury rules that Madison Square Garden or any other plaintiff named in the lawsuit was particularly reckless, you may be awarded punitive damages.