Theatre and cinema injury claims

Theatre and cinema injury claims

For getting your life back on track

With low lighting, regular spills of food and drinks and steep seating arrangements, cinemas and theatres are high-risk venues for accidents to take place. Owners and managers of these facilities have a responsibility to minimise these risks and keep members of the public safe on the property. Unfortunately, when they fail, this can result in accidents and serious injuries.

If this happened to you, you might be owed compensation. At Switalskis, we’ve represented many clients who sustained injuries in a theatre or cinema and helped them to claim the compensation they’re owed. This can help to pay for things you need during your recovery, enable you to take time off work, and cover any financial losses you experienced due to your accident.

Sometimes, people lose confidence when they’re injured in a public place. They might feel embarrassed, think that their injuries are too minor to report, or believe that the accident was their fault. Making a claim can help to prevent similar accidents from happening to other people in the future, and hold cinema and theatre managers accountable for their mistakes.

Don’t sit quietly in the dark. Talk to us about what happened to you, and take action to put things right. Call Switalskis today on 0800 138 0458 , or get in touch through the website , to learn how we can help.

If you were injured in a theatre, cinema or other public place because of someone else, call Switalskis on 0800 138 0458 or fill in our form

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How Switalskis can help

At Switalskis, our approach is tailored to your needs. That means we’ll start by talking to you about your experience. We want to know what caused your accident, how you were injured, and how it has affected your life. If you’re struggling emotionally, we’ll provide whatever support we can, and talk about what you want to achieve by making a claim.

Then we’ll start building your case by looking at the evidence. That includes talking to eyewitnesses and taking their statements, reviewing any CCTV footage that’s available, and looking at your medical records to understand the nature of your injury.

If we need to go to court, we’ll represent you through these proceedings. We’ll remain by your side throughout the process, and do everything we can to secure the result you’re looking for. We’ll always strive to make sure you receive the maximum amount of compensation that you’re owed.

Read what our clients had to say about the help they received from Switalskis

What are the most common theatre and cinema injuries?

Theatres and cinemas are often thought of as being relatively safe, but there are several particular risks that patrons can face. If you have been injured in any of the following ways, you might be eligible to make a personal injury compensation claim:

  • Slips, trips, and falls: these are among the most common incidents and can happen due to spilt liquids, uneven flooring or poorly lit areas. These can lead to cuts and bruises, or more severe injuries like fractures or broken bones.
  • Falling objects: items like signs, lighting fixtures or ceiling tiles might fall and injure someone if they aren’t properly secured. The injuries caused depend on the object in question, but a heavy object can lead to serious consequences.
  • Seat malfunctions: broken or malfunctioning seats can cause injuries ranging from minor to severe. Some cinemas now have electric recliner seats that can pose an additional risk of injury.
  • Food and drink: hot beverages or food items can cause burns or scalds if spilt. There may also be cases of food poisoning due to contaminated or poorly stored food. While you may not think of these as injuries in the same way, you may be entitled to compensation if you’ve been affected by a problem such as these.
  • Crowding and stampeding: inadequate crowd management can lead to injuries, especially during high-profile events or emergency situations. Venues should have procedures in place to prevent injury in these situations, and if they fail to do so, this can result in a compensation claim.
  • Electrical injuries: exposed wiring or faulty electrical equipment can lead to electrical shocks.
  • Elevator and escalator accidents: malfunctioning elevators or escalators can cause falls or other injuries.

Premises like theatres and cinemas must by law adhere to health and safety standards to minimise the risk of accidents. If they fail, and you’re injured as a result, you could be entitled to compensation. The accidents listed above are only examples, so don’t feel deterred from contacting us if you experience a different type of injury. Chat with us about your accident and we’ll let you know whether you can claim.

What is the claims process for theatre and cinema injuries?

There are a few factors that affect the process of making a claim. While your Switalskis solicitor will always push to resolve the case as soon as possible and make sure you get the compensation you deserve, there are several steps where the defendant might introduce delays.

In general, the claims process plays out as follows:

Step 1: Initial consultation

During our first meeting, we’ll talk about the circumstances of your injury. We need to know when and where it happened, how staff at the venue responded, the nature of the injury and the effect it has had on your life since. This will help us to decide whether you’re eligible to make a claim and how to begin our investigation.

Step 2: Establishing your claim

We’ll start gathering evidence and building a case. There are a few types of evidence we might consider. This includes eyewitness accounts, CCTV footage and medical records that show the nature of your injury. Our aim is to prove that the cinema or theatre management was negligent, that this led to your accident, and that you were injured as a result.

Step 3: Notifying the defendant

Once we’ve built a case, we’ll send a letter of claim to the venue where you were injured or their insurance provider. This letter will outline the full details of your claim and the evidence we’ve collected. The defendant will then decide whether or not they’ll accept liability.

Step 4: Negotiation

If the defendant wishes to negotiate a settlement of your claim, we’ll begin negotiations and push to secure the maximum amount of compensation that you’re entitled to. We’ll use our extensive experience and expertise in this area to show the impact of the injury on your life and establish how much compensation you’re entitled to.

Step 5: Court proceedings (where necessary)

If the defendant refuses to settle out of court, or the case is not capable of pre-court settlement, the case may proceed to trial.

Step 6: Settlement and compensation

If your claim is successful, you’ll receive your compensation at the end of this process.

This process can take anywhere from a few months to a few years. Each case is different and you will be advised about the possible timescales throughout the lifetime of your claim.

Contact us today and let's start your journey towards recovery together. Call us today on 0800 1380 458, or get in touch via our form.

Our theatre and cinema injury claim specialists

Photo of Diane Parker
Diane ParkerDirector and Solicitor
Katrina ElseySenior Associate Litigation Executive
Photo of Louise Moore
Louise MoorePortal Co-ordinator
Photo of Robert Frost
Robert FrostChartered Legal Executive
Photo of Kelly Homar
Kelly HomarSenior Associate Chartered Legal Executive
View more

Is there a time limit for a cinema or theatre injury claim?

For most personal injury claims, there is a three-year time limit from the date of your injury in which you can make a claim. This is called the limitation period.

In some cases, the three-year time limit applies differently - or not at all. These include:

  • Children: if the person who was injured was under 18 at the time, the three-year period doesn’t start until their 18th birthday. A parent or guardian can make a claim on their behalf at any time before this date, or they can start the claims process on their own behalf at any time before they turn 21.
  • Mental capacity: if the person who was injured lacks the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves, the time limit might not apply at all. Often, a loved one can make a claim on their behalf at any time following the injury.
  • Fatal cases: if a family member died due to an injury in a theatre or cinema, you usually need to make the claim within three years of the date of the person’s death.

While these are general rules, there are sometimes exceptions. It’s important to act as soon as you can to secure compensation for an injury of this type.

How much does it cost to make a claim for a theatre or cinema injury?

It can be a daunting experience to make a personal injury compensation claim, especially if you’re concerned about what will happen if you lose. Many people fear that they’ll owe expensive legal fees if they make an unsuccessful claim. However, this is never usually the case.

In fact, there are several ways to fund a claim that minimise any financial risk. This means you can make your claim without the fear that you will lose money. These include:

  • No win, no fee agreement: also known as a conditional fee agreement (CFA), this is the most common way to fund a theatre or cinema injury claim. Under a no win, no fee agreement, you will only need to pay legal fees if your claim is successful. A percentage of your compensation is used to pay the fees in these cases. If you lose, the legal costs are written off and you don’t need to pay for the solicitor’s services.
  • Legal expenses insurance: you may benefit from legal expenses cover as part of your home or car insurance policy, which can often be used to pay for a personal injury claim. Alternatively, we can start an insurance policy with our approved insurance provider. This covers any costs that you would otherwise need to pay.

There may be other options available to you, but this all depends on your specific situation. During our initial consultation, we’ll talk you through all of the possible funding options to see which one best applies, and help you work out the best approach to funding for your claim. We want to make sure that no one is prevented from seeking compensation due to their financial circumstances.

Can I claim if I’m a cinema or theatre employee?

The advice above doesn’t only apply to members of the public. If you work in a cinema or a theatre and are injured due to the negligence of your employer, you may be eligible to make a claim.

This shouldn’t affect your employment. It’s illegal for your employer to take retaliatory action against you for making a claim. Contact Switalskis today to discuss the situation and learn more about making a claim as an employee.

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Why Switalskis?

When you’re dealing with an injury, the idea of making a claim can feel overwhelming. It sounds stressful and complicated. But with Switalskis, it doesn’t have to be. Our team aims to keep things simple, taking on the legal legwork so that you can focus on what’s important: your recovery.

Here’s how we set ourselves apart, and why we think we’re the right legal partner for your theatre or cinema injury claim:

Clarity in complexity

We strive to keep things simple. Legal language can be complicated, but Switalskis will break everything down into clear terms to help you understand what you need to do. We’ll stay in touch throughout your claim and make sure we’re available to answer your questions, so you’ll never be left in the dark.

Empathy at every step

We know that suffering an injury in public can cause more than just physical pain. You might be embarrassed, lose your confidence, or feel like your trust and your safety have been compromised. At Switalskis, we’re trained to provide more than just legal advice. We’ll also deliver the emotional support you need to help you get back on your feet.

Expertise you can trust

Thanks to our vast experience working on personal injury cases like yours, we know what works. Our team is thorough, and we tailor our services to your individual needs. At the same time, we know what to expect from defendants and how to build a strategy that will maximise your chances of success.

Championing your rights

Making a cinema or theatre compensation claim is about more than just the money. It’s important to hold the people responsible to account, especially when they’ve been negligent in their approach to your safety. We’ll be your ally in this legal fight, amplify your voice at all stages, and make sure your rights are protected throughout.

What are the types of personal injury claims?

Personal injury claims come in various shapes and sizes, each with its own set of rules, challenges and considerations. At Switalskis, we've got the expertise to handle a wide range of personal injury claims. Here's a quick rundown of the various types of personal injury claims we can help you with:

Find out how Switalskis can help you

If you’ve been injured in a theatre or cinema because of someone else’s actions or negligent behaviour, it’s important to speak up. Taking action is the only way you can help prevent similar accidents from happening to other people in the future and to seek accountability for what happened to you.

To start the process, or for a friendly chat about your accident claim, call Switalskis today on 0800 138 0458 , or contact us through our website.

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