Injured at a Football Stadium in California? Super Bowl Checklist
"What to do if you get injured at a football stadium in California?"
Football Stadium Injury Checklist for Super Bowl Weekend
There’s nothing quite like the energy of a live football game. The roar of the crowd, the smell of stadium food, the thrill of every touchdown, it’s pure excitement. Whether you’re cheering for your favorite college team or your NFL home heroes, whatever team you root for, a stadium game is meant to be a fun and unforgettable experience.
But sometimes, the game day experience can take an unexpected and painful turn.
With National Football League fans flooding the San Francisco Bay Area for Super Bowl LX, it’s also a reminder that injuries can happen at stadiums and at official fan events.
Super Bowl LX is at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday, February 8, 2026, and Super Bowl week activities are happening across the region, including in San Francisco.
One example is the Super Bowl Experience at Moscone Center, scheduled Tuesday, February 3 through Saturday, February 7, 2026.
What happens if you slip on a wet concourse, get injured by faulty seating, or are struck by an out-of-control fan? Who’s responsible and what should you do? In California, the law provides protections for injured spectators, but only if you take the right steps.
This guide walks you through what to do if you’re injured at a football stadium in California, how the law works, and what your rights are as a spectator.
Quick checklist for a Super Bowl weekend injury or stadium injury:
If you’re injured at Levi’s Stadium, another California football stadium, or a Super Bowl week fan event, focus on these three things right away: medical care, reporting, and evidence.
Get Medical Help Immediately, Even if You Feel Fine
Adrenaline runs high at sporting events, and you might not realize the severity of an injury until hours later. If you’re seriously hurt, don’t tough it out. Call for help or go to the nearest first-aid station. Stadiums are typically equipped to provide basic emergency medical help on-site.
Even if your injury seems minor, get evaluated by a healthcare provider within 24 hours. This helps document your injuries, which matters if you later pursue a claim.
Tip: Ask stadium staff where the nearest first-aid or emergency response team is located. Most major California venues, including Levi’s Stadium (Super Bowl LX host), SoFi Stadium, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, have medics on standby.
Super Bowl Weekend Tip: Follow the venue’s entry and bag rules so you can move through screening quickly and avoid rushing on stairs or escalators. The NFL and venues often restrict bags and require clear bags within specific dimensions.
Report the Incident to Stadium Personnel
Before you leave, report the injury to a supervisor, usher, or stadium security. Request that they create an official incident report. Be clear about:
- What happened
- Where it happened
- Any visible hazards or conditions (wet floors, broken seats, crowd surges, poor lighting)
- Names of any witnesses
If you cannot make a report the same day, call the next day and report it. Ask for a copy of the report or at least the name and badge number of the employee who documented it.
Super Bowl Tip: Ask whether the venue has cameras covering the area and write down where the cameras are located. Video can get overwritten quickly.
Document the Scene Like It’s a Crime Scene
If you’re physically able, take photos or videos of:
- The exact location where the injury occurred
- Any hazardous conditions (spills, broken stairs, poor lighting, damaged railings)
- Your injuries
- Any signs or lack of warning signs
- The presence (or absence) of security or staff
Also get names and contact info for witnesses, including fellow fans, employees, or friends who saw what happened.
In California, photos and eyewitness testimony can make or break a premises liability claim.
If you were injured during Super Bowl week in San Francisco (for example, at the fan experience at Moscone Center), take the same steps: medical care, incident report, and immediate photos.
If you traveled by Muni Metro, BART, Caltrain, or VTA to get to an event, you can also use the same evidence checklist for a public transportation injury. (Learn More)
Understand California Premises Liability Law
Under California law, property owners, including stadium operators, have a duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and to warn about known dangers.
In plain English: if you’re a paying customer (or an invited guest), the venue is responsible for keeping areas reasonably safe.
You may have a valid claim if:
- The stadium knew or should have known about a dangerous condition (broken seat, wet floor, poorly lit stairwell)
- The condition was not properly fixed or marked
- That condition directly caused your injury
This type of case is called a premises liability claim, and it’s a common type of personal injury claim in California.
What About Assumption of Risk?
California recognizes “assumption of risk,” meaning that by attending a sporting event, you accept certain obvious risks, like being jostled in a crowd.
But assumption of risk does not protect the stadium from injuries caused by:
- Negligence (slippery floor with no warning signs)
- Inadequate security leading to assaults or fights
- Dangerous or poorly maintained facilities
- Misconduct by employees or third-party vendors
In these situations, the venue or its contractors can still be held responsible.
Keep All Medical and Expense Records
Start a file for everything related to your injury:
- Hospital bills and doctor visits, including co-pays
- Receipts for medications or medical equipment
- Travel costs for medical care
- Lost wages or missed work days (even if you use vacation or PTO)
- Physical therapy or rehab sessions
Also track non-economic damages, like pain, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment if your injury changes your daily life.
Identify All Potentially Responsible Parties
Liability may extend beyond the stadium. Your attorney can help investigate:
- Third-party vendors (food and beverage companies)
- Security contractors
- Cleaning or maintenance crews
- Event promoters or production companies
More than one party may share responsibility for the conditions that led to your injury.
Don't Wait Too Long
California time limits can apply, and waiting can make evidence harder to get.
If the stadium or facility is city- or county-owned, the government claim process can have a much shorter deadline, sometimes as short as six months.
Failing to act in time can mean losing your right to pursue a claim.
Talk to a California Personal Injury Attorney
Stadiums are often owned or operated by large corporations, municipalities, or major sports organizations with experienced legal teams. Making a claim without legal help can put you at a disadvantage.
An experienced California personal injury attorney can:
- Investigate liability and determine who may be at fault
- Handle communications with insurance companies
- Preserve key evidence and footage before it disappears
- File a claim before deadlines expire
If you were injured at Levi’s Stadium during Super Bowl LX weekend, at a San Francisco Super Bowl week event, or at any California football venue, seeking counsel beforehand can help protect your options.
Final Whistle: Know Your Rights
Game day should be about celebrating your team, not dealing with medical bills and time off work. But if you’re injured due to a venue’s negligence, you may have legal rights in California.
By acting quickly, documenting what happened, and speaking with a qualified attorney, you can put yourself in a stronger position to pursue fair compensation.
Disclaimer: This article is general information and not legal advice. For guidance about your situation, talk to a qualified attorney.