Kendall County Fair Bleacher Collapse Leaves 8 People Hospitalized, 1 Dead

According to a KSAT News report, a bleacher collapse at the Kendall County Fair rodeo event at the end of last month resulted in injury and death.

Officials reported the accident occurred at around 9:15 p.m. on August 31st, during the rodeo event at the Kendal County fair. The reason for the collapse is unclear. However, officials reported that the bleachers were salvaged and had not been inspected prior to the event. Boerne fire officials reported that 12 people had been injured. 8 were hospitalized, including 79-year-old Vera Smith, who later died of her injuries. The rest of the day’s events were canceled following the collapse. The investigation is ongoing.

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Did You Know?

Roughly 10,000 people are injured on bleachers every year across the United States.

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Injuries on Bleachers in Texas — What You Need to Know

What do sporting events, school gyms, rodeos, and concerts have in common? Bleachers.

Bleachers can present serious hazards if not properly maintained. Sometimes, an accident on bleachers can be the fault of the event organizer or building. If you were hurt on bleachers due to an event organizer’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation.

What Causes Bleacher Injuries?

People are commonly injured on bleachers that are poorly maintained or have a design flaw that makes them unsafe. Children are the most likely to be injured on bleachers.

• Poor Maintenance — Like in the case above, older bleachers are prone to wear, which may cause them to collapse overtime. Regular maintenance and inspection are necessary to keep bleachers safe.
• Defective Bleachers — If the bleacher is poorly designed with large gaps that are easy to fall through, people are more likely to be hurt. Missing or defective guardrails can also cause serious falls.

Businesses and event organizers are responsible for keeping their grounds safe for invited guests and may be liable if poor maintenance or bleacher defects cause your injury.

Common Injuries from Bleacher Accidents

The most common way people are injured on bleachers is by falling. However, since the fall is often from a significant height, injuries can range from:

• Knee Fractures,
• Wrist Fractures,
• Broken Arms/Legs,
• Spinal Cord Injuries,
• Head Injuries,
• Neck Injuries,
• Laceration,
• Internal Injuries,
• Bruising,
• And Death.

When Can I Sue for an Injury on Bleachers in Texas?

In order to sue for an injury in Texas, you must prove that someone’s negligence caused the injury.

Negligence is a legal term that describes when people and businesses do not take reasonable care to keep others safe. In the context of bleacher accidents, businesses and event organizers can be negligent if they:

• Fail to maintain bleachers,
• Fail to correct a known defect in their bleachers,
• Fail to inspect bleachers for damage,
• Overcrowd bleachers,
• Or fail to provide non-skid surfaces to prevent falls.

If you were hurt on bleachers in Texas but you’re not sure if you have a case, don’t worry — you can talk to a Carabin Shaw attorney about your accident for free.

Injured on Bleachers in Texas? Call Shaw.

You may be entitled to compensation for things like:

• Ambulance Costs,
• ER Treatment,
• Medical Bills,
• Missed Work,
• Disability,
• Trauma/PTSD,
• And Wrongful Death.

We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.

Call Shaw for your Texas injury at 800-862-1260 to schedule your free case evaluation today. No hidden fees, no obligations — just expert legal advice. Find out if you have a case today. We look forward to serving you.

Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to hire the firm.

¹KSAT Report