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Helping You Put Your Life Back Together After a Tragic Crowd Surge Accident in Dallas

People go to concerts to have a good time. But serious injuries may result when too many fans are allowed to congregate in an enclosed area. In recent decades, there have been several incidents where spectators have been seriously injured or killed by surging crowds.

There is a growing consensus on the type of security and crowd control measures that must be taken to prevent senseless crush injuries from occurring at public events. When venue owners, concert promoters, and security organizations fail to plan accordingly, people will get seriously hurt.

If you or a loved one was harmed by a surging crowd at a public event in Dallas, contact The Lenahan Law Firm. We’ve won millions of dollars in settlements for our clients.

Call (214) 295-1008 to schedule a FREE case evaluation today.

What Causes a Crowd to Surge

Severe injury and death may result when crowd density reaches a point where people cannot move and breathing becomes difficult. These surges may be caused by a craze in which people rush toward something that seems gratifying. Crowd surges can also be caused by panic as people attempt to escape a potentially harmful situation.

Crowd surges are generally triggered by some sort of catalyst, such as rain, fire, the entrance of a performer, or someone brandishing a weapon. Crowd density of 10 or more people per square meter may result in suffocation. In these situations, people can die while they are standing up.

Injuries that result from a crowd surge include:

  • Traumatic asphyxia
  • Congestion of the face and neck
  • Myocardial infarction (lack of blood flow to the heart)
  • Crushed thorax
  • Crushed abdomen
  • Head injury
  • Neck compression
  • Bones factures and dislocations
  • Internal organ damage
  • Death

How to Prevent Crowd Surges

Careful planning is the best way for concert organizers and security teams to prevent crowd surges. Designing the venue to eliminate funneling, training staff in the proper crowd control techniques, and having the right protocols to react when a dangerous situation occurs are all essential for keeping everybody safe.

If a any sort of crises ensues, it’s crucial to stop the show immediately and make sure the artist onstage is instructed to calm the crowd and diffuse the situation.

Security measures to prevent crowd surges include:

  • Sectioning the crowds with zones, pens, and barriers
  • Establishing clear pathways
  • Using security spotters to observe the crowd and stop the show if problems arise
  • Having emergency medical personnel on hand
  • Providing multiple well-marked exits
  • Dispersing fans when necessary
  • Providing an adequate number of well-trained security guards
  • Communication between spotters, security staff, and performers
  • Screening attendees for weapons and other harmful items

Tragedies Caused by Negligent Crowd Security

Crowd surges can happen at all sorts of indoor and outdoor events, including concerts, music festivals, carnivals, theme parks, and sporting events.

Events where crowd surges caused death or injury include:

  • 2021: The 3rd Annual Astroworld Festival in Houston — 10 fatalities
  • 2010: German electronic dance festival — 21 fatalities
  • 2000: Pearl Jam concert at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark — 9 fatalities
  • 1989: The Hillsborough Disaster at a soccer game in England — 97 fatalities
  • 1979: Who concert at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati — 11 fatalities

Finding the Right Dallas Injury Attorney

Suffering a serious injury or losing a loved one due to a completely preventable tragedy is a horrible experience. Our team of experienced Dallas premises liability attorneys at The Lenahan Law Firm cannot undo the harm you have suffered. But we can file a claim to help you get the money you need to recover from your injuries and start putting your life back together.

Our team will investigate the incident using police reports, videos, witness interviews, forensic evidence, and expert testimony. Then we’ll file a claim against anyone whose negligence has harmed you. This may include:

  • Venue owners
  • Event organizers
  • Private security contractors
  • Artists who incited unsafe behavior

A Dallas personal injury claim based on premises liability or negligent security may cover the following type of damages:

  • Current and future medical bills
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Rehabilitation
  • Loss of income
  • Physical therapy
  • Pain and suffering
  • PTSD
  • Wrongful death

Our Dallas Premises Liability Lawyers Are Here for You

At The Lenahan Law Firm, we believe the people who hurt you should have to pay for your medical expenses. Our firm has a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating, and Super Lawyers has recognized us for providing our clients with outstanding service.

Call (214) 295-1008 to learn more today.

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