If you’ve been injured at a concert or music festival in Queensland, you may be eligible for compensation, especially if negligence caused your injury.
Australians love live music. From a small venue in Fortitude Valley to massive festivals like the now defunct Splendour in the Grass, thousands of Queenslanders attend live performances each year. In fact, over 31.4 million tickets were sold nationwide in 2024 for live performances, including concerts and music festivals.
But the reality is that these events can turn dangerous in seconds. The 2016 Falls Festival stampede injured 80 people. A fan was kicked at Travis Scott’s Melbourne concert in 2024. More recently, the ceiling collapsed during a Bad Omens show in Melbourne in January 2025, injuring several people. These incidents are stark reminders that safety in public events isn’t something to take lightly.
When organisers fail to take reasonable safety measures, injuries can happen. Whether it’s a crowd surge, a fall, or faulty equipment, knowing your rights is the first step to securing compensation.
Your rights after a concert or music festival injury
Event organisers and venue operators owe attendees a legal duty of care. Under Queensland’s Civil Liability Act 2003, this duty means they must take reasonable steps to keep patrons safe while they enjoy the show. When they fail in this responsibility and someone gets hurt, you may have grounds for a public liability claim.
Negligence is the legal concept at the heart of most concert injury claims. It occurs when someone fails to exercise reasonable care, causing harm to another person.
Common causes of concert injuries
Concerts and festivals can be unpredictable, and injuries can occur in various ways. Knowing the common patterns helps explain where responsibility may lie.
Crowd-related incidents
Crowd surges and mosh pits are among the most common causes of concert injuries. An analysis of eight events between 2011 and 2014 found between 50 and 206 mosh pit injuries per event.
Large groups pushing forward can result in crushed ribs, difficulty breathing, trampling, or even death. For example, although not a music festival, a massive public event in South Korea led to 158 deaths and left 196 people injured in 2022.
Event organisers have a responsibility to supervise crowds, maintain barriers, and deploy security strategically—failure to do so may be considered negligent.
Slip, trip, and fall accidents
Falls at music events might seem minor, but they can be serious when they result in fractures or sprains. Causes include:
- Poor lighting in walkways or bathrooms
- Spilled drinks or debris not cleaned promptly
- Uneven ground at outdoor venues
- Temporary flooring that shifts or gaps
- Lack of warning signs for steps or level changes
Queensland venues must maintain safe premises through regular inspections, hazard removal, and proper lighting. Falls from stages or raised platforms can be particularly severe if safety barriers are missing or inadequate.
Equipment failures
Falling speakers, lighting rigs, or unstable stages can cause catastrophic injuries, including head trauma or spinal damage.
Security-related problems
Security isn’t just about numbers—it’s about training and positioning. Poorly managed security can escalate minor incidents into major accidents. Event organisers who cut corners on security or fail to train staff properly can be held liable.
Alcohol-related incidents
Overserving patrons or failing to refuse service to intoxicated individuals increases the risk of accidents. Queensland’s Liquor Act 1992 sets rules for responsible service, and ignoring these requirements can result in liability for injuries caused by alcohol-related behaviour.
Who can be held responsible?
Concert and festival accidents often involve multiple liable parties. Determining liability affects how much compensation you may recover.
- Event organisers: Responsible for planning, risk assessment, and crowd management. When they fail in these areas, they are often primarily liable.
- Venue owners: Must maintain building safety and premises, regardless of whether they rent out the space.
- Security companies: Liable if staff are undertrained or fail to manage the crowd appropriately.
- Equipment suppliers and contractors: Must provide safe infrastructure and install it correctly. Stage collapses or rigging failures often point to supplier liability.
- Performers: Rarely liable, but if a performer encourages dangerous behaviour, they may share responsibility.
- Security companies managing crowds and responding to incidents
Liability often depends on who was responsible for preventing the accident and how they failed in that responsibility.
Establishing liability
Proving negligence requires linking the organiser’s or venue’s actions—or inactions—to your injury, showing a clear breach of duty.
- Duty of care: Organisers, venue operators, and security companies automatically owe safety duties to paying patrons.
- Breach of duty: Evidence might show that they:
-
- Skipped proper risk assessments
- Knew about hazards but did nothing
- Provided inadequate security for the crowd size
- Violated safety regulations or industry standards
- Failed to maintain equipment or inspect structures
- Causation: You must prove that the breach directly caused your injury. Expert evidence may be needed when multiple factors contributed to the accident.
- Damages: Keep thorough records of medical treatment, employment impacts, and out-of-pocket expenses. The stronger your documentation, the better your claim.
Evidence can include witness statements, photos, video footage, and incident reports. Every piece helps build the case that the organiser’s or venue’s negligence directly led to your injury.
Time limits for making a claim
You generally have 3 years from the date of the accident or injury to start legal proceedings in Queensland.
However, you must submit a Notice of Claim within the earlier of:
- 9 months after the incident
- 1 month after engaging a lawyer
Acting promptly is important, as evidence can fade and witnesses may become unavailable.
Extended timeframes may apply if injuries are discovered later.
What to do after a concert or festival injury
Taking quick and careful action after an injury can make a big difference in your claim:
- See a doctor right away: Even injuries that seem minor can have hidden complications. Early medical attention not only protects your health but also creates a clear record linking your injury to the incident.
- Report the incident: Tell the security, venue staff, or first aid personnel about what happened. Ask for a written report or note down names, positions, and times. This helps establish an official record of the accident.
- Gather evidence: Take photos of the accident scene, any hazards, and your injuries. Make notes about crowd size, conditions, and other relevant details. Collect contact information from anyone who saw the incident.
- Keep all records: Preserve tickets, damaged clothing, receipts, and any medical documents. Remember that every piece of evidence can support your claim.
- Be cautious with insurers: Insurance companies might contact you. Don’t give statements or sign documents without legal advice, as they may try to minimise the payout.
What compensation can I recover?
Compensation in Queensland accounts for both tangible and intangible losses.
- Economic damages cover financial losses:
- Medical bills, including ambulance, hospital, physiotherapy, medication, and future care
- Lost wages and potential future income loss
- Travel expenses for treatment
- Home or vehicle modifications for permanent injuries
- Non-economic damages compensate for:
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life.
- Loss of enjoyment of life for permanent injuries
Compensation takes into account the severity and permanence of the injury, how it affects daily life, and the person’s age at the time. Younger individuals with long-term limitations often receive higher payouts due to the extended impact on their future.
We champion Queenslanders
Concerts and music festivals are meant to be unforgettable—seeing your favourite artists, partying with friends, and feeling the energy of the crowd. But an injury can quickly turn that excitement into stress, disrupting your daily life, what you do outside work, and future plans. Acting quickly and knowing your rights is essential to protecting yourself and securing the compensation you deserve.
At accident legal, we specialise in public liability claims. With 13 offices across the state, we can come to you wherever you are. We conduct thorough investigations, work with expert witnesses when needed, and understand the strategies insurers use to reduce compensation.
With no win no Fee guaranteed, you don’t pay legal costs unless your claim succeeds. Whether your case settles through negotiation or goes to court, we fight hard to secure the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Start your claim today. Call us now.