Attending a preseason WNBA game at South Carolina’s Colonial Life Arena should have been an exciting experience for a 27-year-old basketball fan. Instead, it turned into a traumatic ordeal that left her hospitalized and fighting for recovery.
Lack of Accessibility Leads to a Devastating Injury
The woman, who routinely uses a wheelchair due to a mitochondrial disease, had traveled from Virginia with a friend to attend a Las Vegas Aces exhibition game against the Puerto Rican National Team at Colonial Life Arena. However, her designated seating was in the arena’s general admission – inaccessible for her wheelchair. In the past, as a person who is mobility challenged but not completely wheelchair dependent, she had been allowed to leave her wheelchair with an attendant and walk to her seat. But this time, the attendant informed her she couldn’t do so.
Escorted to the upper-level ADA seating, she encountered low guardrails that reached only barely past her knees. This design posed a serious and foreseeable safety hazard to someone who already voiced that she was willing able to walk short distances. About 15 minutes into the game, she fell over the railing as she stood up to cheer, and sustained a severe head injury. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she spent five days undergoing treatment. Even now, she remains under a doctor’s care as she continues to recover from her injuries.
Pursuing Accountability for Injured Fan
Joye Law Firm attorney Melissa Mosier, based in our Columbia office, has taken on the victim’s case to seek justice and accountability. Mosier is committed to holding the responsible parties accountable. From the lack of accessible seating options to the dangerously low guardrails, this incident highlights a series of preventable oversights.
Attorney Mosier is working tirelessly to secure compensation for her client’s medical expenses, ongoing care, and emotional distress. This case underscored the importance of ensuring venues prioritize accessibility and safety for all guests, regardless of their mobility needs.
In an interview with The State, Mosier said, “I would very much like for them to take an approach (of) problem solving (and) forward thinking prevention, not just paying her claim. It will happen again and the next time the person or child may have even worse injuries.”
Advocating for Change in Public Venue Accessibility
At Joye Law Firm, we believe in advocating for those whose lives are turned upside down by preventable accidents. Cases like this one serve as reminders of the urgent need for accountability and inclusivity. We’ll continue to fight for our client, ensuring her voice is heard and her rights are upheld.
This case is ongoing, and we are determined to secure the justice and compensation our client deserves. Beyond her claim, we are working to shed light on the need for widespread accessibility improvements at public venues. As the case progresses, we will share updates; however, certain details may remain confidential until the case is fully resolved. If you or someone you know has faced a similar incident, don’t hesitate to reach out to Joye Law Firm for help. We are here to advocate for you.
