Your wedding day should be a joyful occasion that you share with your most cherished family and friends. No one wants their wedding to be interrupted by a tragedy. Weddings are full of opportunities to celebrate, but they are also occasions where injuries are possible.
From a slip on the dancefloor, to a tumble down the reception venue stairs, it only takes a moment for someone to get injured at your wedding. When an injury occurs, your first priority should be to get the help you need. You may be left wondering who is responsible or liable for the damages due to the injury.
Some couples choose to get wedding insurance to protect them from damages due to an injury, and others rely on the expertise of an injury lawyer to guide them through the process should there be a legal problem. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know about who is liable when a wedding guest gets injured.
What Should Guests Do If They Are Injured At a Wedding?
A slip and fall is the most common type of injury at a wedding. A legal claim should be filed immediately if you are injured at a wedding to cover the associated costs. A claim should be filed quickly to be compensated. Here are the steps you need to follow in order to file a successful claim:
- Take photos of your injuries and around the area where the accident happened, if possible, as well as obtaining any security footage
- The wedding venue should be contacted for an incident report, and eyewitnesses should be interviewed
- Visit a doctor or hospital if you’re seriously injured. When you wait too long to seek medical attention, your injury may worsen
- Medical records, x-rays, invoices, and charts should be copied
- Hiring a legal expert to help you with your claim is a good idea
Who Is Liable?
The bride and groom could be liable for injuries sustained by guests at a wedding. Brides and grooms are less likely to be sued than venues or vendors.
Before booking your wedding date, ask about your venue’s insurance policy and be on the lookout for any hazards or concerns. Vendors should do the same if their equipment is responsible for a slip and fall.
COVID-19 has led to an increase in at-home weddings. If the homeowner’s negligence or inadequate insurance resulted in an injury to a guest, the homeowner might be liable for damages. In a wedding venue or a home, tripping hazards include poor lighting, loose gravel on walkways or cracked cement that causes uneven footing, and loose floorboards or patio slats. Venues or homeowners who’re liable would be covered by their insurance. As a result, they have to pay for all medical expenses, lost income, and emotional damages.
Liability for Intoxicated Guests
The importance of liquor liability coverage cannot be stressed enough to couples. The liability for any alcohol-related accidents or injuries could fall on you if you serve alcohol at your wedding. A wedding planner or venue may also be held liable since they are responsible for monitoring every aspect of the wedding day to ensure safety and security. Most venues require a police officer to be on duty during the reception to prevent drunk guests from driving.
If you are busy planning your wedding, you need to consider all the possibilities, including accidents and injuries. Talk to your insurance company today about getting coverage for your event and invest in an injury lawyer if anyone should be injured.
