Hinkle Fieldhouse, originally known as Butler Fieldhouse until 1966, is a historic basketball arena built in 1928 that is situated on the Butler University campus in Indianapolis. Up until 1950, it was the largest basketball arena in the United States. In addition to basketball games and tournaments, the venue also hosts other various events, including rallies and concerts. However, with a seating capacity of 9,100, it can become the backdrop for accidents and injuries and if you or a loved one have been injured at Hinkle Fieldhouse, it’s important to understand your rights as an accident victim in order to potentially receive compensation for damages.
A personal injury claim stemming from an injury at Hinkle Fieldhouse will typically fall under the legal category of premises liability. Depending on the specifics and type of injuries sustained, a student or spectator may file a lawsuit if the university, event organizers, staff, or management negligently failed to implement safety measures and protocols before, during, or after an event. However, in order for a successful outcome, a plaintiff must prove that the unsafe and negligent conditions, such as wet flooring or inadequate staffing, directly led to a client’s injury.
Typically, when filing a lawsuit against a public entity or university, the concept of governmental immunity would apply. In Indiana, public schools and universities fall under this legal category. Governmental immunity shields public institutions from certain types of lawsuits and can limit the potential award amounts for injured parties. Because Butler University is a private institution, governmental immunity laws should not be applicable in these cases. However, filing a claim against a private academic institution will still have its own set of challenges and your attorney will need to identify all potential responsible parties such as third-party vendors, event organizers, and others who may share liability for any accident and injury that occur.
As with most arenas and venues, any ticket to an event at Hinkle Fieldhouse will have an “assumption of risk” clause or some other limited liability language embedded in the Terms of Sale for ticket purchases. When buying a ticket and entering the arena, students and visitors may be acknowledging certain risks associated with an event, which can complicate a personal injury case.
However, simply stating that a lawsuit cannot be filed does not eliminate liability if negligence can be proven. Therefore, it’s important to retain an experienced personal injury attorney familiar with Indiana’s premises liability laws. At Hurst Limontes, our experienced team will carefully examine the details of your case, gather evidence, and pursue the compensation you deserve through skilled negotiation or, if necessary, litigation against the responsible parties and insurance companies.
If you or a loved one have been injured at the Hinkle Fieldhouse, contact our law firm to discuss your case. Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience fighting for clients in any number of personal injury cases. We work on a contingency basis, meaning there is no cost to you unless we reach a settlement or jury verdict award on your behalf.
Call 317-636-0808 or complete the form below for a FREE and confidential consultation.
