Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world. Many parents introduce their children to the game at a young age. Some hope their child will become the next Tiger Woods. Others simply want to enjoy a fun family activity. A trip to a driving range can be a great birthday party or a fun way to spend time together. It can even start a lifelong love of golf.
Sadly, a fun family outing can turn into a serious tragedy.
When Fun Turns Dangerous
TopGolf combines golf with a loud, exciting party atmosphere. Every weekend, many children visit these locations with their families and friends.
However, many young or inexperienced players do not understand the dangers around them. The music, games, and excitement can make it hard to notice safety risks. In a split second, a golf club can strike someone and cause a serious injury. The lack of physical barriers between players can also increase the risk of accidents.
TopGolf Injury Statistics
Over a five-year period, six TopGolf locations on the West Coast reported more than 100 incidents where a golf club struck someone.
Other reports showed:
- An employee estimated that a golf club strikes someone about once each month at the Hillsboro, Oregon location.
- Ninety-two percent of these injuries involved the face or head.
- Seventy percent of the injured people were children.
These numbers raise an important question: Is this a reasonably safe business? Many people have suffered serious injuries at TopGolf, and those injuries are not isolated events.
The Oregon TopGolf Lawsuit
A recent federal court case in Oregon highlighted these safety concerns.
In that case, a nine-year-old boy attended a birthday party at TopGolf. During the party, another child hit him in the head while finishing a golf swing. The blow caused severe injuries.
The boy’s conservator filed a negligence lawsuit against TopGolf. She claimed that TopGolf failed to keep the property reasonably safe. The court explained her claims in three ways:
- failure to warn;
- failure to eliminate a condition creating a risk of harm for which there was no adequate warning; and
- failing to eliminate an unreasonably dangerous condition.
The evidence also showed that TopGolf had received safety recommendations from its own insurance company but did not follow them.
After hearing the evidence, a jury found TopGolf negligent and awarded the plaintiff more than $15 million in damages.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Property owners must keep their property reasonably safe for customers and guests. When a business fails to protect visitors, the law may hold that business responsible for the injuries that result.
If your child suffered an injury at TopGolf or a similar business, an experienced personal injury lawyer can explain your legal options and help you decide what steps to take next. At Stag Liuzza, we help injured individuals hold negligent parties accountable and pursue the financial recovery they need and deserve.