For today’s blog post, we go to the eastern seaboard where a basketball referee was assaulted a couple of years ago and sued the city for it. Details are sparse, but what we know is that the referee was attacked by both coaches and fans after a basketball game. The attack resulted in the man suffering numerous injuries that required surgery and dental care.
The man sued the city of Baltimore and the case was recently approved to be settled. The man will receive $30,000 in damages as a result of the attack two years ago. The man’s claim was that the city failed to provide adequate security of the referee at the game, using a tenant of premises liability law to establish their case.
What this story teaches us is that premises liability can apply to many different incidents and in many different situations. Referees officiating sports events for the city can lead to a situation where there are grounds for a premises liability case. People who slip and fall at a supermarket can sue the store for premises liability. Even people who rent a room at a hotel or stay at an apartment could encounter dangerous situations that lead them to get hurt and, thus, have a chance to file a premises liability lawsuit.
If you have been injured due to the carelessness or recklessness of another party, you should consider consulting with an attorney to discuss your case.
Source: The Daily Record, “Baltimore to settle lawsuit with youth referee after attack,” Heather Coburn, Jan. 11, 2017