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ARTICLE · 29 OCTOBER 2025

Take Me Out By The Ball Game! An Overview Of Spectator Liability

Siskinds LLP
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Attending a sporting event is supposed to be fun. But what happens if you're injured by a foul ball or a hockey puck while sitting in the stands? What if you are injured in some other manner...

CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Lauren Cullen
Lauren Cullen
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Attending a sporting event is supposed to be fun. But what happens if you're injured by a foul ball or a hockey puck while sitting in the stands? What if you are injured in some other manner while at a sporting event? Can you make a claim for your injuries?

Understanding liability at sporting events

If a spectator is injured while at a sporting event, they may be able to commence an action against the occupier of the facility where the event was held. The Occupiers' Liability Act places a duty on the occupier to ensure that people on the premises where the event is being held are reasonably safe.

In order to bring a successful claim, the injured spectator must prove that the occupier of the premises breached its duty to keep spectators safe. The standard is one of reasonableness, not perfection. This means that, just because someone is injured while on the premises, the occupier is not automatically liable. When you attend any sporting event, you accept certain

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