Using a Ticket is Enough

A couple years ago, a railing at the Washington Commanders’ football stadium gave way, causing several fans to fall and get injured.  One of them, a Philadelphia Eagles fan who was at the game watching his team battle the Commanders, tried to escape the arbitration clause and be able to sue in court.  The Fourth Circuit US Court of Appeals disagreed with him.

In this case, the victim did not purchase the tickets, his friend did.  The tickets were located on the friend’s phone and the victim never took possession of his ticket.  For that, he argued that the arbitration agreement did not apply to him.  The Commanders argued that mere usage of the tickets was sufficient to bind the victim.  It was an argument of apparent authority … and reasonable practicality. 

 To read more about this decision, click here.