We can help you claim
compensation following an accident
illness or injury - nationwide
Call: 0800 10 757 95
Unless you live in a remote rural area, if you are a music-lover living in the UK, you are likely to have a wide choice of venues where you can regularly see performers to suit your tastes but, although personal injury accidents at such events are rare, audience members should be aware of potential hazards caused by crowds.
The level of risk will be associated not just with the hall or other building where the musicians or singers will be on stage but also with the style of music and the type of fan it attracts.
A concert of classical works by Beethoven or Mozart performed by a renowned orchestra in a city centre hall or theatre holding up to 1,000 people, most likely will attract patrons who are interested in sitting quietly to concentrate on the playing and then they will leave the auditorium in an orderly manner.
In such circumstances, the main risk of someone suffering an accident would be a slip, trip or fall while entering or walking around in the hall. Usually, such venues are owned by local authorities and have strict safety protocols and plenty of staff on hand to prevent anyone suffering harm when they have come out to enjoy themselves.
At the opposite extreme in terms of public entertainment are the band gigs in pubs where there is not much space, and a happy atmosphere may be soured by someone who has drunk too much alcohol.
A common link with the two types of venue is the hazard of a slip, trip or fall, which may be especially relevant in a cramped building with low light levels where it may be difficult for customers to make their way round in safety.
The effect of alcohol on the behaviour of people at music events should be recognised not just by those attending but also by owners, management and staff who have a duty to protect anyone on their premises from harm.
Anyone whose excessive drinking has put themselves, or another, in danger should be removed from the premises and refused further alcohol in order to avoid the possibility of an accident or crime occurring.
Any venue used for public entertainment has to be licensed by the local authority where it is situated, and its officers will make regular inspections to ensure precautions such as marking of fire safety exits and removal of obstructions which might cause a hazard have been carried out.
Over-crowding can be a safety problem, as well as a cause of discomfort, and premises such as village halls and community centres will have set limits on the number of people either standing or sitting which can be adequately accommodated. If a hall administrator has failed to keep a check on users, he may be liable to receive a summons for breaching the regulations and certain uses banned at the hall.
Outdoor music concerts and festivals have health and safety hazards of their own, and often organisers issue a disclaimer to ticket holders suggesting that they must be responsible for their own care while on the site.
Although this basic 'look after yourself' message is true for many situations, it cannot completely absolve an event's manager from all responsibility. Personal injury accidents which were predictable because of the actions or neglect of another, but were not prevented, can still be subject of a compensation claim.
YouClaim personal injury solicitor service
If the words above have struck a chord with you and you or a loved one have been hurt while attending a concert, band performance or other music event, you may wish to consider seeking damages from the person or organisation at fault.
YouClaim's professional legal service is available throughout the UK and advice on the possibility of bringing a claim is free.
All our lawyers are checked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and they are particularly noted for explaining everything about the law in plain English.
To make an initial inquiry with a member of our team, you can give some brief details on the online inquiry form on this page, start live chat or give us a call on 0800 10 757 95.
