What if I Suffer a Personal Injury at a Movie Theater? 10 Major Injuries You May Suffer
When the COVID-19 Pandemic shut down the world, one of the top businesses affected was the movie theater industry.
Going to a movie theater was once a staple of American culture, but the pandemic shut down or delayed more than 155 films in the US. Box offices are slowly on the mend.
According to various reports, the US box office grossed about 7.5 billion dollars in 2022. This is a 65 percent increase from 2021. With the movie theater business on the rebound, more and more people are heading out to watch a flick.
Los Angeles is a city built around movies. Whether you’re catching the latest blockbuster at a CINEMARK theater, or going to see an indie film at the Aero in Santa Monica, the action and suspense may not be limited to the silver screen.
Injuries can happen, regardless of the many precautions a movie theater may take. For example, a Glendora man was recently awarded $1.8 million dollars after negligence led to a slip and fall at an AMC movie theater.
Slips and falls occur when an individual falls, slips, or trips on a property owned by someone else. Since the injury happens on another person’s property, it falls under premises liability. California Civil Jury Instructions 1000 outline premises liability as:
- The defendant controlled the premises and had a duty of care (the property needed to protect other parties)
- The defendant was negligent in the use or maintenance of the property (the property was not maintained for safety)
- The plaintiff was injured
- The defendant’s negligence caused the injuries sustained by the plaintiff
A slip and fall can be difficult to prove, especially without evidence.
Slips and falls at a movie theater can be caused by:
- Uneven staircases or flooring
- Wet surfaces in the bathroom, lobby, or theater
- Unmaintained theater seats
- Improper or broken lighting that renders it difficult to see
- Elevator or escalator issues
Slips or falls can cause numerous injuries, including:
- Concussions after falling down a staircase
- Broken wrist from slipping on a wet floor
- Back pain after a seat collapses
- Deep cuts after falling due to poor lighting
- PTSD after an escalator accident
It’s important to remember that just because you fall or slip at a movie theater does not mean you have a case. You must prove negligence on behalf of the theater.
California Civil Jury Instructions 1003 outlines negligence as:
- The condition on the property created an unreasonable risk of harm
- The defendant knew, or should have known, about the risk of harm
- The defendant failed to fix, protect against, or warn against the risk of harm
A movie theater injury can also happen in the parking lot. Pedestrian accidents are a frequent cause of injuries and fatalities in California.
Imagine a situation where a driver has tickets to a 7 o’clock screening. It’s 6:55 and they are still looking for parking. The driver is more focused on finding a spot, and may be less aware of their surroundings. This is a prime possibility for them to strike a pedestrian walking in the lot.
California law states that any driver approaching a pedestrian must do all they can to ensure the pedestrian’s safety. Driving distracted due to nearly missing the show is not a valid excuse.
A pedestrian accident can cause numerous injuries, including:
- Neck pain
- Spinal cord issues
- Lacerations
- Internal hemorrhaging
- Traumatic brain injury
At C&B Law Group, our team of Los Angeles personal injury attorneys are ready to help you following an injury at a movie theater.
Going to the movies should be a fun experience with friends or a significant other, filled with laughs, tears, popcorn, and Sour Patch Kids. Maybe you even have a friend whose name is in the credits.
An injury can derail your enjoyment at the movie theater. Injuries may linger for months, or even years.
You shouldn’t have to suffer through the physical pain and mental anguish. Let the Southern California injury lawyers at C&B Law Group help you with potentially recovering damages for your injuries, including lost wages or medical expenses.
Don’t wait for a streaming release – contact our personal injury attorneys in Burbank and Los Angeles today.
Click the following link to learn more about a free consultation!
