New Jersey Premises Liability: Fan Severely Injured at Rutgers Stadium

Visitors at any type of property, from a neighbor’s pool to a shopping mall or restaurant, justifiably expect that facilities are maintained to ensure safe conditions for all people. The most common hazards include slippery floors and icy sidewalks, but sometimes a property owner’s negligence is less obvious. Injuries resulting from premises liability range from broken elbows and slipped discs to the physical and emotional wounds suffered by someone assaulted due to inadequate security in a dark stairway.

Sometimes harm occurs to visitors in broad daylight among hundreds of witnesses. Such was the case recently when a 20-year-old New Jersey man suffered a serious head injury and was hospitalized in critical condition after falling down a flight of stairs at a Rutgers football game in Piscataway. University officials immediately deemed the fall accidental, and a friend of the injured man reportedly said that he had been attempting to slide down a staircase rail after the game. “There’s no indication that there was any kind of a push,” a Rutgers spokesman told the Asbury Park Press.

But foregone conclusions seldom tell the complete story. A full assessment of the circumstances could uncover improper behavior or shortcomings by the property owner, including a failure to monitor and discourage rowdiness or over-serving of alcohol to underage drinkers. In the event of long-term injuries requiring years of medical care and rehabilitation, a family will often explore every legal option to seek justice and obtain compensation from those who foster hazardous situations.

A Personal Injury Law Firm Can Explain Legal Strategies for Recovery

There are two major components to every personal injury claim: proving that a party’s negligence contributed to the injury, and assessing the full extent of the harm to properly award damages. Experienced personal injury lawyers consult with experts to provide strong evidence of all relevant factors in civil litigation.

By preparing every case for the possibility of trial from the outset, premises liability attorneys show negligent property owners and their insurers that they are serious about their clients’ rights. Aggressive legal strategies and firm negotiating skills are the foundation of solid legal advocacy for injured parties and surviving family members.