Skate Safe: Exploring Ice Skating Rink Liability
Our region’s commitment to public reaction facilities manifests in a number of ways. One of these is ice skating rinks. Whether they’re outdoor seasonal attractions or indoor sporting facilities, it’s fairly easy to go ice skating in the DMV all year round. Novice skaters, ice-sporting hobbyists, family outings, and couples on dates all congregate on the ice. This is doubly true in the Holiday season, when people feel compelled to enjoy winter activities in keeping with the spirit of the season. Crowded rinks are good news for owners and operators of these facilities, but it can lead to hazardous conditions for patrons. This, unfortunately, can lead to injury. Did you know that under some circumstances, an ice rink may be liable for injuries suffered at their facility? Today’s Malloy Law blog post will cover ice skating rink liability.
What Makes Ice Skating Rink Liability a Premises Liability Case?
If you’ve ever been skating, you’ve almost certainly fallen. The process of learning to skates inevitably leads to falls, and the risk of injury. Skates are narrow and difficult to balance on. Ice is slippery. The process of learning to propel oneself across the rink (let alone stop safely) can be unintuitive for many people. Obviously the vast majority of falls would not fall under the umbrella of premises liability. So how do we separate this minority of incidents from the rest?
Frequent readers of this blog are likely already well-acquainted with the definition of premises liability. But for the uninitiated, let’s define it in brief. In order to file a successful premises liability case: the victim must demonstrate that the negligence of another person caused their injury. Although the full legal definition of negligence is far more complex and the topic of ongoing discussion among legal scholars, it can be broadly defined as “carelessness.”
In order to make a compelling argument demonstrating negligence, the injured person must show:
- There was a dangerous condition on the ice rink in question.
- The owner or operator knew or should have known about this dangerous condition.
- The owner or operator could have fixed it, or informed patrons of its existence, but did neither.
Hazardous Conditions to Look Out For
While every ice-skating injury will be different, some signifiers of a deficit of care which may suggest an ice-skating rink liability case include:
- Poorly maintained ice or equipment
- A crowded or over-capacity rink
- Lack of supervision
- An object or piece of debris left on ice for too long
Navigating the Aftermath of Your Injury
In order to prove negligence in a slip and fall case, hard proof is essential. This is especially true when it comes to ice skating rinks. Since an ice rink’s condition continually evolves, it is necessary to document it before what that led to your accident goes away. It is essential to have photographic proof of the state of the location where the slip occurred. You can strengthen your case by including photos of your outward injuries and the condition of your clothing. In order to have a tangible record of the damage and its cause, a doctor’s report is also vital.
Generally speaking, it’s advisable to obtain a record of any complaints submitted to the owner or operator regarding the rink in question (though this may require a lawyer). Your claim may also be supported by any security camera documentation. Once more, in order to establish negligence, it must be demonstrated that the person in charge of maintaining the location where the accident happened knew or ought to have known about the circumstances that resulted in your injury. This claim can be supported by evidence varying in quality, quantity, and diversity.
How Malloy Law Can Help
If you or a loved one suffer an injury while skating on a hazardous or poorly maintained ice rink, Malloy Law can help. Our experienced and talented team of attorneys can boast some of the DMV area’s slip and fall specialists. We’ll assess your case free of charge and plot a strategy to win maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our dedicated staff is always standing by to take your call. Contact Malloy Law today and let’s win your case.
