In any premises where a large number of people are present, there are certain hazards and risks associated with being there. Movie theaters often have the potential to house hundreds, if not thousands, of people under their roof at any one time.
This large number of people needs to be managed and safely controlled in order to prevent injuries from happening. This is particularly true when it comes to using the stairs within the movie theater itself. When the movie ends, there is likely to be a large volume of traffic wanting to exit the room. This must be managed logistically by the employees to prevent injuries from occurring.
What responsibilities does the movie theater owner/’manager have in preventing injuries due to overcrowding?
Owners and managers of movie theaters, and any premises that facilitate large numbers of people, must plan the logistics of the building and the traffic appropriately. This means that there must be an adequate amount of staircases that are wide enough for people to use. There should also be indications as to which sides of the stairs movie theatre customers should use.
It is very common for injuries to occur when fire drills are exercised or other types of panic occur. This can cause a stampede situation and can mean that people become seriously injured after being trampled on. The movie theater owner/manager has the responsibility to ensure that large numbers of people can exit the premises safely in the event of an emergency.
If you have been injured due to high volumes of people in a movie theater in Chicago, you may be able to take action and seek compensation.