Injured at a Concert or Festival in Burlington? 

Who Should Pay for Your Medical Bills?

A concert or festival should be an unforgettable experience—but not because you got hurt. If you’ve been injured, a personal injury attorney can help you figure out who’s responsible and how to get the compensation you need. One minute, you’re enjoying the music, and the next, chaos erupts. Maybe a rowdy, intoxicated fan knocks you over. Maybe the venue is packed way past capacity, and you’re caught in a crushing crowd surge. Or maybe security is nowhere to be found when a fight breaks out nearby. Now, you’re left with injuries, medical bills, and a lot of unanswered questions. Who’s responsible? And how do you get the compensation you need?

Horn Wright, LLP, knows how overwhelming this can be. That’s why we encourage you to hire one of the best law firms in America. As experienced personal injury attorneys, we fight for concertgoers who were hurt due to someone else’s negligence. You didn’t ask for this, and you shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s negligence. Our attorneys handle cases just like yours, fighting for injured concertgoers in Burlington. Whether your injury happened at Higher Ground, the Flynn Center, or a festival at Waterfront Park, we’ll help you hold the right people accountable.

Drunk, Rowdy, or Violent Fans—Who’s Responsible for Your Injuries?

Alcohol and concerts go hand in hand. But mixed in poor security, reckless behavior, and a packed crowd, things can spiral fast. If you got hurt because of an intoxicated or violent attendee, you might be wondering: is it just bad luck, or does someone need to pay for what happened?

Can You Hold an Intoxicated Attendee Liable?

Sometimes, yes. If another attendee assaulted you or caused an injury through reckless behavior, they could be held responsible. Suing another concertgoer isn’t always the best option. They might not have the money to cover your medical bills. That’s why it’s important to look at the bigger picture. Who else dropped the ball?

• The venue or event organizers could be liable if they overserved alcohol or failed to control aggressive fans. Vermont’s dram shop law prohibits serving alcohol to someone who’s already intoxicated. If a bar or venue ignored that law, they could be on the hook.
• Security companies might share responsibility if they ignore warning signs. Maybe there were complaints about a rowdy group all night, but security shrugged it off. If they failed to step in before things got out of control, that’s negligence.
• Alcohol vendors can be held accountable under Vermont’s dram shop laws. If a bartender kept serving a visibly drunk guest who later injured someone, they could be legally responsible.

If you were hurt by an out-of-control fan, evidence is key. Witnesses, security reports, and video footage can help prove that your injury wasn’t just an accident—it was preventable.

Did the Venue Cut Corners on Safety? Here’s How to Prove It

Venues are supposed to be safe, but not all of them put safety first. Some pack in as many people as possible, ignore maintenance issues, or fail to plan for emergencies. When they cut corners, you pay the price—literally. Some red flags that show a venue might be at fault are:

• Overcrowding can lead to trampling, crushing injuries, or panic during an emergency. Just look at the Astroworld Festival tragedy in 2021—poor crowd control led to multiple deaths and hundreds of injuries.
• Dangerous conditions like wet floors, broken stairs, or exposed wiring can turn a fun night into a trip to the ER. If the venue didn’t fix or warn people about hazards, that’s negligence.
• No emergency planning can make injuries worse. If a venue didn’t have medical staff on-site or clear evacuation routes, they could be responsible for any harm you suffered.

If something felt off about the venue’s setup or management, trust your instincts. Photos, videos, and witness statements can help prove that the venue ignored obvious dangers.

Does Insurance Cover Injuries at Higher Ground or Other Burlington Venues?

Most venues carry liability insurance to cover injuries, but don’t expect an easy payout. This is where having a skilled Burlington personal injury attorney can make all the difference. Insurance companies aren’t in the business of handing out money—they’ll look for any reason to deny or reduce your claim. This is how they might try to dodge responsibility:

• “It wasn’t our fault.” They’ll argue the venue wasn’t responsible, blaming another attendee or calling it an accident.
• “You knew the risks.” Some tickets include waivers meant to protect the venue from lawsuits, but under contract law principles, these waivers may not always be enforceable. But just because a waiver exists doesn’t mean it’s enforceable.
• “Your injuries aren’t that bad.” They might downplay your injuries to avoid paying the full amount you deserve.

You don’t have to take no for an answer. A strong legal team can push back, proving that the venue (or its insurance company) is responsible for covering your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Who Pays When an Event Organizer Ignores Safety Risks?

Concert and festival organizers are supposed to plan for your safety. If they didn’t, and you got hurt as a result, they should be held accountable.

The Role of Promoters & Sponsors in Event Management

Promoters and sponsors aren’t just about selling tickets—they play a big role in making sure events run smoothly. But sometimes, they cut corners to save money. They might be responsible if:

• There weren’t enough security guards. Industry standards suggest one security guard per 250 attendees, following guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). If an event was understaffed, that’s a problem.
• Medical help wasn’t available. If you were hurt and had to wait too long for medical attention, organizers could be held liable.
• Equipment or staging was unsafe. A collapsing stage, faulty barricades, or unstable lighting rigs can turn a concert into a disaster.

If organizers failed to take basic safety precautions, they need to pay for the damage they caused.

Security Didn’t Step In—Is That Negligence?

Security is supposed to keep you safe, not stand by while things get out of control. If security guards ignored threats, failed to break up a fight, or let dangerous people in, they could be responsible for your injuries. Negligent security claims often involve:

• Ignoring obvious threats. If you or others complained about a dangerous fan and the security did nothing, that’s a problem.
• Not enough security staff. Events need a certain number of trained guards. If security was overwhelmed, that’s on the venue.
• Poor bag checks or metal detectors. If someone smuggled in a weapon or dangerous object because security was too lax, they could be held accountable under negligent security laws.

If security let you down, you shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences alone.

Get the Legal Help You Deserve

Concert injuries don’t just ruin your night—they can leave you with serious medical bills, lost wages, and lasting pain. A personal injury attorney at Horn Wright, LLP can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. You shouldn’t have to deal with this alone. At Horn Wright, LLP, we fight for concertgoers who were hurt because of someone else’s negligence. 

Contact us today for a free consultation.