An evening of watching your favorite sports team play or a celebrity perform at Madison Square Garden can quickly turn into an unexpected trip to the emergency room. That's because in a bustling arena like this, accidents can happen unexpectedly and for many different reasons.
Unfortunately, these accidents can cause serious injuries or even death. That's not something we've just made up; people have actually been injured, and some have lost their lives at this specific arena.
To give you some perspective, in March 2023, the son of a popular restaurant owner in New York City died after falling off an escalator at this very arena. The New York Post reported that the 61-year-old man fell two to three floors to his death.
This is just an example of the many accidents that have occurred at MSG in recent times. If you or a loved one is a victim, contact Morgan and Morgan immediately to have your case reviewed by someone familiar with Madison Square Garden injuries and your rights in such a case.
Common Madison Square Garden Injuries
Most injuries caused by accidents at MSG are usually serious. That said, we know that each case is unique, and there is always a possibility that the injuries you sustained may be different from someone else's.
No matter your circumstances, we might be able to help fight for your rights. But before we get to that, let's take a look at some potential injuries that could result from an accident at Madison Square Garden and examples of situations that could contribute to these injuries.
Sprained Ankle
Sprained ankles can result from different scenarios. In an arena of MSG's magnitude, a stampede caused by rowdy crowds is all it takes to cause this type of injury. This is especially true in situations where you find yourself running or attempting to navigate through a crowded area. In the process of trying to get to safety, you could accidentally twist or roll your ankle on uneven surfaces, causing a painful sprain.
Slip and fall accidents can also cause sprained ankles. Think of a situation where the cleaning staff did not put up signs warning visitors about wet or slippery surfaces. If you slip and fall in such an environment, a sprained ankle is one of the many different kinds of injuries you may sustain.
Bruises and Contusions
Using crowd trouble as an example, with people scrambling and trying to escape the chaos, collisions are inevitable. In the midst of the chaos, you might find yourself in a situation where you're being pushed or bumped into by others. This kind of collision can lead to serious bruises or contusions on various parts of your body.
Speaking of crowd trouble, MSG is not new to such incidents. In 1992, nine people died when a stampede broke out at the arena during a rap-celebrity basketball game, a real-life testament to how a peaceful event could turn rowdy in an instant.
Head Injuries
These kinds of injuries are quite common in accidents that involve sudden impacts. For example, if a fight breaks out, a scenario we've witnessed many times before, you or a loved one might suffer serious head injuries if struck by an object.
The frightening reality is that these accidents don't even have to occur due to fights or crowd trouble. A slip and fall accident is also one of the common causes of head injuries that can range from minor concussions to more severe traumatic brain injuries, depending on the force and nature of the impact.
Cuts and Lacerations
In the 1992 incident we referenced earlier, where at least nine people lost their lives, it was reported that some of the people involved suffered severe cuts. Specifically, one person was slashed by a razor-type knife and required multiple stitches.
As we've clarified before, these injuries don't even have to occur due to crowd trouble. Some accidents, such as those caused by broken glass, sharp objects, or debris, could also lead to these kinds of injuries.
Take an example of a situation where there was an active construction project going on at the venue. Then, the venue temporarily suspends the construction project to allow visitors to attend the said event.
Under such circumstances, what could possibly go wrong?
All it takes for you or a loved one to suffer serious injuries is the negligence of a construction worker or any other party at the venue. If they fail to secure construction equipment or clean up the area, you may step or bump into a sharp object. As a result, you could suffer cuts, lacerations, and other injuries.
Fractures or Broken Bones
In any accident, there is always a risk of falling or being hit with significant force. And given some of the accidents we've discussed so far that could potentially occur at MSG, including those that have already occurred, the idea of suffering fractures and broken bones is not far-fetched.
These injuries may occur particularly in situations where you fall awkwardly or experience a direct blow to a limb. Commonly affected areas include wrists, ankles, and arms.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Certain accidents characterized by sudden movements, forceful impacts, or overexertion can cause soft tissue injuries. These injuries might include strains, sprains, or tears in muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Depending on how serious the accident was, the severity of the injuries sustained can vary from mild pain or discomfort to complete loss of function in the affected area.
Psychological Trauma
People who visit MSG usually have a strong attachment to a specific event or person highlighting the event. It could be a sports event, such as hockey, basketball, or even a performing artiste.
For such people, getting injured at this venue is usually the last thing on their minds. So when these accidents happen, the impact may stretch beyond the physical aspect.
In other words, some people are never the same, especially mentally, after such accidents. Some end up developing a life-long fear of crowded areas. Others, particularly those who suffered serious injuries or lost their loved ones, may never sleep peacefully at night. Nightmares, stress, anxiety, depression, and unprovoked fear, are just some of the possible mental and psychological effects of such accidents.