If you get hurt while attending a University of Tennessee football game, you need to take specific steps to make sure that get the help that you need. The actions you take immediately after getting hurt may play a role in any personal injury case you file.
Notify Someone of Your Injury Immediately
The first thing that you want to do is tell someone that you are hurt. This enables a stadium staff member or another fan at the game to get you to a first aid station. From there, you can get treatment for minor cuts or bruises. If necessary, an ambulance may transport you to a local hospital for more evaluation or emergency procedures should any be necessary. In addition to getting help in a timely manner, telling someone that you were hurt at the game bolsters your claim for damages in a civil suit.
Get Witness Statements and Take Pictures or Video of the Scene
Assuming there was a witness to the accident, get that person to write down his or her name, phone number and address along with a written statement of what he or she saw. You should also ask if that person would be willing to testify in court on your behalf. If you can, take pictures or video of the accident scene to establish that dangerous conditions or other negligence caused your injuries. You may also ask for any camera footage from the stadium or campus as well as footage that any onlookers may have captured.
What this will do is prove that you were not at fault for your injuries. In Tennessee, the courts use a modified comparative negligence standard. What this means is that any award you obtain could be reduced by however responsible you were deemed to be for the accident. For instance, if you were deemed 20 percent responsible, you would only get 80 percent of your total award. Under this system, you get nothing if you are found to be 51 percent or more at fault for your injuries.
Make Sure to File the Case Within One Year of the Accident
In the state of Tennessee, you have one year from the date of an accident to file a personal injury case. This is true whether or not you do so with the help of an attorney. However, it is highly encouraged that you hire legal counsel as they can assist in dealing with the insurance company or other parties who may not want to pay full market value for your injuries and other costs. Ideally, you will notify all relevant parties of your intent to sue within days of the accident. While you don’t have to follow through with a lawsuit, it may provide motivation for any liable parties to settle in your favor.
If you are hurt at a UT football game, make sure that you seek treatment immediately. Afterwards, contact an attorney who may review your case and represent you during settlement talks or a formal personal injury trial. If you win your case, you could be entitled to reimbursement for medical bills as well as for other damages including lost wages or lost future earnings.
