Bowling Alley Injuries: 4 Factors That May Impact Your Case
Posted on: 28 April 2016
Going bowling is a fun recreational activity that has been a tradition for many decades. While bowling is mostly safe, you may find yourself getting injured on the lanes. If you've been injured while bowling, you may have a lot of medical bills and emotional trauma as a result of the case. Instead of dealing with those injuries on your own, a personal injury attorney can build a settlement case to help compensate for the damages. As a case is getting built, there are multiple factors that apply to your injuries and the liability of a bowling alley. Browse each factor to see how they can impact your bowling alley injury case.
1. Lane Conditions
If you're injured while in the act of bowling, then the lane and ball may be to blame for the injury. Bowling lanes often use oils and conditioners to help the balls roll smoother and more accurately down the lane. If these oils get onto the walking surface, it can create slick and dangerous areas that result in a slip and fall injury. If the oils were not properly cleaned up, then the business can be held liable for creating the dangerous situation.
Poor lighting conditions can also lead to injuries. If the lanes are not well lit, it can cause a person to trip, slip, or slam into something near the lanes. The resulting injury could have been prevented by proper lighting and safety. A lawyer can use images from the lanes and witness statements to help prove the conditions of your case.
2. Malfunctioning Equipment
One of the main sources of equipment used in bowling is the ball return machine. This fast moving device can send balls back at a rapid pace. Sometimes these machines can jam, malfunction, or create speed issues. If this is the case, your hand or arm could be crushed by a returning bowling ball. As long as you were following properly safety instructions, you should not be responsible for this type of injury. In this type of case, you attorney may seek compensation from both the bowling alley and the company that manufactured the ball return technology. Your statements and witness verification can showcase how the machine malfunctioned and exactly what happened. An attorney can also look into any past incidents that involved malfunctioning machines and any possible injuries.
3. Shoe Rentals
A key part in bowling is renting shoes that can work properly on the lanes. When renting shoes for bowling, the condition of these shoes can have a big impact on your injury. For example, if the shoes are worn down they may cause a foot injury or a slip-and-fall injury. Poor shoelaces can also cause you to slip out of the shoe and fall.
The actual shoes can be used as a piece of evidence in your case. An attorney can use the shoes to show how they caused harm and should have never been rented out to a customer. Other shoes from the business may also be used to showcase poor conditions and possible negligence on the part of the bowling alley.
4. Food-Related Injuries
Along with bowling, a number of bowling alleys feature restaurants and cafes where food can be ordered. Food can often be the cause of an injury at an alley. For example, if foods or drinks are served too hot, they can cause severe burns and injuries. Unkempt alley areas can also cause slip and fall injuries.
For example, if you're assigned an alley and slip on dropped food, then the alley may be held liable for not properly cleaning up the lanes before assigning them. Your attorney will help build a case and evidence to prove the cause of your injuries.
Contact a personal injury attorney from a firm like Clearfield & Kofsky to consult about your injuries and a possible case that you may have. While an attorney moves forward with your case, you can focus on healing from your emotional and physical injuries.
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