Sports, Entertainment & Amusement Liability

Pretzel & Stouffer’s Recreation, Sports and Amusements Practice Group is nationally recognized for successfully representing clients in every aspect of recreation, sports, and amusements related liability. We know that these industries face unique risks and legal challenges, and we are one of a handful of firms in the country with a practice group dedicated to serving these industries.

While we regularly represent our recreation, sports and amusement clients in liability-related litigation, we also work closely with business and industry leaders and their insurers to help draft risk management guidelines, design protocols for accident investigations and implement loss prevention programs. We are also called upon to provide advice on compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, including those dealing with labor and employment and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

To better assist our clients in managing risk, we have developed a series of educational seminars and mock trial presentations on the following subjects: maintaining a culture of safety; drafting effective risk management guidelines; industry litigation trends; avoiding accidents and lawsuits; prevailing government regulations and industry standards.

We not only assist clients in the industry, but our attorneys are also active in industry-related associations, including serving on the Board of Directors of the International Amusement and Leisure Defense Association (IALDA)—an association of defense counsel, insurance professionals, risk managers, experts, and association operators. We are members of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) and frequently speak on risk management at industry conferences, trade shows and conventions, including at the Roller Skating Association Convention (RSA), the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA), the Amusement Industry Manufacturers & Suppliers, International (AIMS), the IAAPA Annual Trade Show and Convention and the American Society of Testing and Material (ASTM) F24 Committee on Amusement Rides and Devices.

Over the decades, we have represented arenas, bowling centers, carnivals, charity fundraising events, concert venues, endurance events, equestrian facilities, family entertainment centers, “fun run” events, go-kart tracks, golf courses, health and fitness clubs, hotels and resorts, roller and ice skating rinks, obstacle courses and “mud runs,” ski areas, sporting teams and venues (professional and amateur), theme park and water park chains and zoos.

Our depth of trial and risk management experience in recreation, sports, and amusements liability is an invaluable resource for our industry clients, which likely is why so many repeatedly retain for their recreation, sports, and amusements needs.