NFL, San Francisco 49ers Face Premise Liability Lawsuit

The two men who were beaten and shot during the NFL’s 49ers-Raiders game last August 20, 2011 are now suing the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Candlestick Park parking lot security company in a premise liability claim.

According to the lawsuits filed by Daniel Long and Gabriel Navarette before the San Francisco Superior Court, the 49ers failed to proactively provide an environment that is free from quarreling, fighting, taunting, threatening remarks, or gestures and gang activity.

The two 49ers fans claimed in their lawsuits that one of them was beaten unconscious while the other one who tried to rescue was shot four times.

Aside from the said incident, one more serious beating, two shooting scenes, and several alcohol-fueled fights occurred in Candlestick Park where the 49ers-Raiders game was held.

Shortly after the infamous game, the 49ers’ owner suggested to the NFL to cancel all future games between the two teams. Also, the 49ers tightened up its security measures, including instituting an alcohol ban on postgame and parking lots tailgating. 

However, during a subsequent playoff game, some New Orleans Saints fans still complained about harassment. Therefore, San Francisco police officers started attending games spying under opponent’s jerseys to police rabble-rousers.

The San Francisco 4ers, in its brief statement, claimed that the team is committed in providing a safe game environment for all fans. In fact, its commitment has earned the highest security level rating from the NFL. Meanwhile, both NFL and Landmark Security’s legal representatives declined to comment on the allegations hurled against them.

Unlike any other accidents like vehicle accidents where the cause of damage is apparent and the liability is comparatively clear, premise liability claims often present liability issues. In such cases, a victim has to prove that something within the property caused the injury. Furthermore, a victim has to prove that the property owner failed to do something despite the awareness of the existence of danger on the property, which eventually caused the injury, briefly explained by a Los Angeles premise liability lawyer.

San Francisco Giants Fan’s Premise Liability Lawsuit Seeks $50 Million in Damages

The San Francisco Giants fan, Bryan Stow, who was attacked by two men in the parking lot of the said stadium on March 31, 2011 after the team’s opening-day victory over the Giants, is now suing the former Dodger Stadium owner, Frank McCourt and 13 other team entities.

In his premise liability lawsuit, Stow is seeking $50 million in damages for his future medical costs and pain and suffering.

According to court documents, Stow suffered brain injury and is now permanently disabled. Stow’s medication had in fact incurred $4.3 million in medical bills so far and will need additional $50 million plus.

The lawsuit was filed on May 24 before the Los Angeles Superior Court. Among Stow’s claims are assault, battery, negligence, negligent hiring, and both intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

In a previous trial, two men identified as Louie Sanchez, 30, and Marvin Norwood, 31, were ordered to appear in court for the beating of Stow. During the trial, the Los Angeles Superior Court judge, George Lomeli found enough evidence to order both men to proceed to trial on one felony count each of chaos, assault by means possibly to produce severe personal injury, and life-threatening battery.

Furthermore, the court judge also found enough evidence which involves an allegation that Sanchez had personally inflicted severe personal injury against Stow, while with Norwoods, the judge found no sufficient evidence to support the allegations set against the latter.

At present, both men remain in jail and are scheduled to appear on Friday at the downtown Los Angeles court house for arraignment.

In relation to this incident, property owners can be held liable for any injuries caused by accidents that happen on their property or within the premises of their property. If a person was injured while on someone else’s property, the victim may have all the legal rights to file for a premise liability claim against the property owner and other parties involved in the incident.

According to a Los Angeles premise liability lawyer, although such premise liability claims are considered personal injury claims, they present their own problems and one of a kind evidence issues.