SoFi Stadium Seat Collapse Settlement

A day at the stadium ended in an injury and a lawsuit after a spectator’s seat gave way at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The case, now resolved through a settlement, is a useful look at what property owners owe the people they invite onto their premises. Here is what was reported and what it means for anyone hurt by a dangerous condition.

What Happened at SoFi Stadium

A Rams season ticket holder, Tiffany Botello, said the back of her padded club seat broke and collapsed beneath her during a 2021 preseason game, leaving her injured. She named the Rams, StadCo LA (the owner and developer of SoFi Stadium), Hollywood Park Management, and a related entity as defendants, and in March 2026 she settled her seat collapse lawsuit on terms that were not made public. A settlement ends a case without a court deciding who was at fault, but the dispute points to a question every property owner faces. If a dangerous condition on someone else’s property injured you, an Inglewood, CA premises liability lawyer can explain how these claims work.

A Property Owner’s Duty to Keep Guests Safe

California law expects those who own or control property to use reasonable care to keep it safe for visitors. Under California Civil Code Section 1714, a person or business is responsible for harm caused by a failure to use ordinary care in managing their property. A broken seat that cannot hold a guest is one example of a condition that can lead to a claim. Common hazards that lead to premises liability cases include:

• Broken seats, railings, or stairs that give way under normal use.
• Wet or slippery floors left without a warning.
• Poor lighting in walkways, stairwells, and parking areas.
• Uneven surfaces or loose flooring that cause trips.
• Falling objects from overhead fixtures or displays.

When an owner knew or should have known about a hazard and did not fix it, an injured guest may have grounds to recover.

The Limits of a Liability Waiver

One issue in the SoFi case was a waiver. The stadium argued that the season-ticket license agreement released it from negligence claims tied to injuries at the venue, while the plaintiff argued that a waiver cannot cover a violation of the law. California law does place limits on these releases. Under California Civil Code Section 1668, a contract cannot excuse a party from responsibility for its own fraud, willful harm, or violation of law. Whether a waiver blocks an ordinary negligence claim depends on the wording and the facts, which is why these disputes turn on careful review. An Inglewood premises liability lawyer can read the fine print and press the arguments a waiver cannot bar.

Where to Turn After a Premises Injury

A dangerous condition that was not your fault should not leave you paying the price. Cohen Injury Law Group can look closely at how you were hurt, hold a careless property owner to account, and fight for what the injury has cost you. Contact our team to get started on your claim.