When Spectators Take The Hit – Spectator Litigation In Ireland (Video)

Patrick Murphy  and Laura Flanagan talk about spectator litigation in sport where spectators are struck by golf balls, rugby balls or ice hockey pucks while attending sporting events.

While litigation taken by spectators is relatively rare in Ireland, it has arisen in golf, ice hockey and rugby. 

Duty of Care

Claims brought by injured sports spectators are usually brought under traditional negligence principles.  For liability in negligence to be attributed to the party defending a claim, which may be the sport's governing body, the player, the sports club or indeed all three, a spectator's claim must meet the following test:

1. the defendant owed a duty of care to the spectator;