Who Is Responsible For Injuries At The Coachella Music Festival?

Liability for injuries at Coachella can fall on several parties, including the festival organizers, property owners, security companies, and third-party vendors, depending on the situation. If an injury resulted from negligence, such as poor crowd control, inadequate security, or unsafe conditions, victims may have legal options to explore.

Every spring, the desert comes alive with music, art, and a massive crowd of festivalgoers attending one of the most iconic cultural events in the world: the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, Coachella draws hundreds of thousands of attendees over two consecutive three-day weekends. The event features an exciting mix of world-famous headliners and emerging artists.

While the festival promises unforgettable performances and immersive experiences, its large scale also brings serious safety risks. Injuries can range from slip-and-falls in packed walkways to more severe accidents caused by overcrowding or lack of proper security. When they happen, knowing who may be held legally responsible is essential.

Coachella Music Festival: A Quick Overview

The Coachella Festival has grown from a niche gathering into one of the most iconic music festivals in the world. Co-founded in 1999 by Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen, the festival was born from a desire to bring alternative music to a broader audience in a unique setting. Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of AEG Presents, organizes the festival today and continues to define the modern festival experience.

Tickets to the festival sell out almost instantly, often within hours of going live. From 2013 to 2015, each year, Coachella broke new attendance and gross revenue records, solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the global festival circuit.

Coachella is more than just a concert for festivalgoers. It’s a sprawling, immersive event that blends music, art, and culture in the heart of the desert. The festival grounds are meticulously planned, with multiple stages, art installations, food villages, and shaded lounges. Despite the location’s capacity of 125,000 per weekend, Coachella’s total attendance across both weekends has reached upwards of 250,000, with the 2017 event hitting record-breaking numbers.

Major Safety Incidents At Coachella Music Festival

Massive crowds, high energy, and nonstop music undoubtedly make Coachella a festival. It provides memories guests take with them for the rest of their lives. These experiences occasionally leave a lasting impact, but for the wrong reason.

With thousands of attendees packed into one space, this festival can present safety challenges. Safety concerns at Coachella have made headlines more than once. Here are some of the most notable ones:

Pyrotechnics Error During A Green Day Performance (2025)

Coachella invites upcoming artists and established names in the music industry to perform during the event. Famous rock band Green Day headlined the 2025 Coachella Festival. During their performance on April 12, 2025, a rogue fireworks display from the stage hit a palm tree near the artist section.

According to reports, the misfired firework hit a palm tree, causing it to catch fire. While the organizers officially reported that no one got injured, those who witnessed the scene expressed their shock online. This is an example of a fireworks accident. Personal injury lawyers emphasize that such incidents could lead to claims if attendees were harmed.

Fall Accident Involving Pregnant Artist At Coachella (2024)

During a live performance of Eat Your Man with Dom Dolla at the 2024 Coachella Festival, Canadian singer Nelly Furtado, pregnant then, took a tumble on stage. The accident resulted in a minor cut to her thumb. The fall was even heard through her microphone, sparking immediate concern from the audience. However, Furtado quickly reassured her audience that she was all right and continued the performance.

Fall From Height Accident Injuring An Acrobatic Dancer (2023)

On April 15, 2023, an acrobatic dancer plummeted above the stage and violently struck the ground. While the performer lay motionless on stage, her fellow dancers rushed to her side. As seen in the video of the accident captured by TMZ, the dancer’s leg apparently slipped, causing the fall. Emergency responders quickly arrived and transported the dancer out of the venue on a stretcher. One onlooker reportedly fainted after witnessing the fall.

Coachella Festival Stagehand Died In A Tragic Fall (2019)

A veteran stagehand tragically lost his life on April 6, 2019, after falling from a scaffolding during the setup of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The victim, Christopher Griffin, 49, from San Diego, had worked with the festival since its inception. Authorities reported that he fell approximately 60 feet from a structure near Monroe Street and Avenue 50 on the Empire Polo Club grounds in Indio. According to Indio Police and the Riverside County Coroner’s Office, Griffin was pronounced dead at the scene.

This tragic incident reminds us of the serious risks involved in scaffolding accidents and underscores the need for strict safety protocols, proper training, and protective equipment for all stage crews. Consequently, the fire department notified Cal/OSHA since it was classified as an industrial workplace accident.

One Killed, Another Injured In A Coachella Car Accident (2018)

On April 14, 2018, three young individuals heading to the Coachella Festival were involved in a serious single-vehicle accident. The 21-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle and struck two trees, resulting in multiple injuries and one fatality. The backseat passenger, an 18-year-old female, was thrown out of the car as a result of the impact. Authorities pronounced her dead at the scene. The front-seat passenger, a 16-year-old, sustained life-threatening injuries, while the driver suffered a facial laceration. Emergency responders took the surviving victims to Desert Regional Medical Center.

Teenager Attendee Killed In Car Accident At Coachella (2016)

Michala Freeland, an 18-year-old from Highland, tragically died after being struck by a vehicle near the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on the evening of April 15, 2016. The traffic accident occurred around 8:15 p.m. near the festival site, where Freeland had planned to attend the Friday night events. The victim succumbed to her injuries about an hour after getting transported to Eisenhower Medical Center.

Potential Dangers At The Coachella Music Festival

The Coachella Festival may be iconic for its music and fashion moments, but seasoned attendees know it also brings a host of health hazards. Set in the arid Coachella Valley, the event exposes thousands of guests to intense temperatures (ranging from 112 °F during the daytime to 75 °F at night), long walks across dusty terrain, and dangerously high levels of air pollution.

Common risks include intense spring winds, dense crowds, and elevated levels of PM10, or tiny dust particles that easily enter the lungs. On high-wind days, PM10 levels in the Coachella Valley can significantly exceed federal safety standards. Local emergency departments brace for a surge of festival-related cases each April.

Among the most reported ailments is the condition known as “Festival Flu” or “Coachella Cough,” a nickname for the wave of flu-like symptoms that includes a dry cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, headaches, and extreme fatigue. Hospitals also treat numerous cases of heat exhaustion and drug-related complications as the desert sun and nightlife take their toll.

Here are other common contributors to accidents and injuries during the Coachella Music Festival:

Slip-And-Fall Hazards

Slip-and-fall accidents are surprisingly common at large-scale events like Coachella, where tens of thousands gather in a sprawling outdoor environment with potential hazards.

They don’t just happen near portable toilets and in shower areas. Dangers can also lurk in other high-traffic areas, such as in the campground, around the main stages, and in the paved sales areas, concealed by the crowds of people gathered.

Some of the most common causes of slip-and-fall incidents during the festival include:

• Uneven terrain and unstable walkway.
• Slippery surfaces.
• Obstacles like electrical cords, debris, or tent stakes in camp areas.
• Poorly maintained or dimly lit areas around vendor booths and stage transitions.

Confusing Traffic

The combination of a vast crowd heading down to the venue, limited access, and unfamiliar roads creates an unpredictable and sometimes dangerous traffic environment. The confusing traffic and disorganized entry patterns at the event create safety concerns that have been documented by local authorities, with Indio police reporting unsafe behavior by attendees during recent festivals, including fatal car accidents.

Staggered arrival and departure times, especially across multiple weekends, can lead to significant traffic congestion around the Coachella Valley, straining local transportation systems. Road closures, detours, and rerouted commuter paths affect both festivalgoers and locals, while the sheer volume of vehicles creates bottlenecks that can delay emergency response times.

These traffic challenges were especially evident during Coachella 2023, when Indio police reported that attendees were exiting vehicles in unsafe locations and attempting to enter the venue through non-designated entrances. Authorities emphasized that this disorder impacted festival attendees and the well-being of the surrounding community and first responders.

Crowd Surges And Trampling

The risk of crowd surges and trampling becomes a critical safety concern at an event as massive as Coachella, where the festival grounds can accommodate up to 125,000 attendees daily. Once crowd density reaches a point where people can no longer move freely, the risk of crushing injuries and suffocation rises dramatically.

With tens of thousands of individuals moving through the festival daily, crowd control must be a top priority. Without proper management, the event’s excitement can quickly become panic, putting lives at risk. When security staff or event coordinators lack effective communication, delays in addressing crowd surges or issuing warnings can lead to chaotic and unsafe conditions. If organizers fail to anticipate traffic flow or implement strong control measures, choke points can form.

Assaults Or Altercations

As the day progresses and tempers wear thin, minor disputes can escalate into physical confrontations. Conflicts don’t just arise between guests. Event staff and performers have gotten into disputes at other major festivals. Despite the presence of security personnel and crowd control teams, incidents involving physical confrontations continue to occur.

Several contributing factors increase the likelihood of such situations:

• Alcohol and substance use.
• Long hours and physical exhaustion.
• Overcrowded environments.
• Inadequate or delayed security response.

Victims of physical altercations may consult accident lawyers to understand their options. They may be eligible to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, or emotional distress if they have a valid case.

Faulty Equipment Or Stage Setup

Malfunctioning equipment and unstable stage setups pose serious risks to performers and attendees. Hazards may include:

• Collapsed stages
• Faulty lighting rigs
• Malfunctioning pyrotechnic displays

Organizers must ensure that all electrical installations and festival setups comply with safety codes. This measure helps prevent dangerous incidents such as fires or electrocution accidents. Additionally, organizers must consult local authorities regarding necessary permits and safety regulations to guarantee the event remains safe, legal, and fully compliant.

Who Can Be Held Responsible For Injuries Sustained At Coachella?

Liability for large-scale events is not straightforward. The Coachella Festival typically involves multiple entities, including:

• Event Organizers — If Coachella organizers (Goldenvoice/AEG Presents) overlook hazardous conditions or disregard safety protocols, they could be liable for injuries during the festival.
• Insurance Companies — Festival organizers often carry liability insurance to cover potential injuries. Depending on the terms of the policy, the insurance company may compensate injured parties.
• Venue Owners — The annual event is held at the Empire Polo Club. The venue owners may be responsible for injuries caused by unsafe conditions on the premises.
• Security Companies — Hired security companies must maintain the safety of the event. If they fail to perform their duties, such as crowd control and overseeing evacuation in an emergency, and cause harm to someone, the company might be held legally responsible.
• Vendors And Contractors — Private contractors and vendors may also bear some responsibility if an injury results from their negligence.
• Other Entities — Equipment manufacturers, government entities, and other individual parties may also share liability in certain situations.

What Do Victims Need To Prove In A Coachella Injury Claim?

Establishing negligence is key to proving personal injury claims. With clear evidence, victims must show that:

• The Liable Party Had a Duty of Care — A duty of care refers to the legal obligation to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of others. This duty applies in any situation where someone’s actions might harm another. In music festivals, organizers have a duty of care to protect their attendees from preventable harm.
• This Duty Was Breached — To make a claim, you must show that the organizers failed to uphold their duty. For instance, if someone tripped over a barricade carelessly left in a walkway, they could argue that there weren’t enough staff present to identify and remove the hazard. If the event lacked sufficient personnel to monitor the premises, that could constitute a breach of their duty.
• The Breach Caused the Injury — You must also prove that the breach of duty directly caused your injury. This means showing that the injury was foreseeable and preventable if the organizers had acted reasonably.
• The Injury Resulted in Damages — You must prove that the injury caused measurable damages. To support your claim, your legal team will gather proof showing that you incurred the following losses:
  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress

Steps To Take After Getting Injured At Coachella

Accidents can happen anywhere. If you sustain injuries at the Coachella Festival, these steps can help you protect your health and legal rights:

1. Get Medical Attention — No matter how minor your injuries appear, you should seek medical attention immediately. Professional medical evaluation and proper documentation are essential for future personal injury claims. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries weren’t serious if you delay getting medical care.
2. Report the Incident to the Authorities — Notify Coachella event staff immediately to initiate an internal incident report. File a formal report with event management or security. Contact local law enforcement if a crime occurred (e.g., assault).
3. Gather Evidence — Capture the accident scene, any contributing hazards, and your visible injuries. If possible, obtain videos from other attendees or nearby surveillance cameras.
4. Identify Witnesses — Witnesses can support your version of events. Create a list that includes the names and contact details of anyone who saw the incident.
5. Consult with a Personal Injury Lawyer — Avoid directly speaking with the negligent party’s insurance or legal representatives. Clearly state that you intend to retain legal counsel. Your personal injury attorney can help you file a lawsuit to protect your rights and pursue compensation if necessary.

How Much Is My Injury Claim Worth?

Your claim’s value depends on several factors, such as the injury’s severity, type, and impact on your daily life. Victims may seek economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury case. These damages are designed to compensate for the financial losses and emotional hardship of the incident.

Economic damages include:

• Emergency medical expenses (hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, doctors’ fees).
• Lost income, including loss of future earning capacity (if your injury affects your long-term ability to work).
• Damaged or destroyed personal items.

Non-economic damages cover more subjective losses, such as:

• Physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

After an accident, a victim contemplating filing a case may ask, “Do I need a personal injury lawyer?” They might seek free accident lawyer advice with questions in mind. Injury claims can quickly become complex, and having a knowledgeable injury attorney on your side can provide valuable guidance during the legal process.

What If A Loved One Died At Coachella?

If your loved one died as a result of negligence at Coachella, your family may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. This type of lawsuit allows surviving family members to seek wrongful death damages, including:

• Funeral and burial costs.
• Loss of the decedent’s financial support.
• Loss of household services, guidance, and companionship.

Is There A Time Limit For Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Yes. This filing deadline is what’s referred to as the “statute of limitations” in legal language. Missing this deadline will likely result in your case getting dismissed. Generally, victims have two years from the date of the injury or death to file a lawsuit. To protect your rights, you must act quickly. Delaying legal action can make it harder to collect evidence and locate witnesses. Contact personal injury attorneys to learn about the claims process and applicable deadlines.

Injured At Coachella? Seek Help From Arash Law

You’d expect an annual event like Coachella to be well-organized. However, lapses in its management and operation can still occur. You might need to file a claim if you sustained injuries due to an accident or negligent security at the Coachella Festival. Talk with attorneys for personal injury cases to learn about your legal options and potential compensation.

Filing a personal injury claim isn’t easy. It requires legal knowledge and preparation, especially since the other side may try to do everything possible to avoid paying you. An experienced personal injury lawyer can:

• Review your case to see if you have a valid claim.
• Investigate the incident and identify who’s responsible.
• Gather and protect key evidence, like witness statements and reports.
• Explain your legal rights and guide you through your options.
• Help you file a claim or lawsuit against all liable parties.

If you were injured at an event like Coachella, you may have concerns in mind about liability. The injury attorneys at Arash Law are ready to answer your questions and review your case. We have the resources, experience, and determination to help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.

Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. When we represent you, we stand by your side at each step of the process, working to pursue compensation for your injuries.