What You Should Know if You Were Injured on Campus Move-In Day

Every fall, colleges throughout the Green Bay area, including the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay and St. Norbert College, welcome thousands of students. 

Move-in day is exciting, but it can also be chaotic. Crowded sidewalks, overloaded carts, moving trucks, and busy stairwells create conditions where serious accidents can happen. When those injuries result from unsafe property conditions or another person’s negligence, the consequences can last long after move-in weekend ends. 

If you were injured on campus move-in day because of an unsafe condition or someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to seek compensation. Here’s what you should know about university premises liability, who may be responsible, and what steps to take after an accident.

Common Move-In Day Accidents

A busy campus doesn’t excuse unsafe conditions. Colleges and universities must still take reasonable steps to protect students, families, and visitors, because when they don’t, accidents occur. 

Some of the most common move-in day accidents include:

• Slip and falls on college campus walkways caused by wet floors, loose entrance mats, uneven pavement, or spilled liquids
• Falling boxes, furniture, or other items from overloaded carts or balconies
• Falls on broken, poorly maintained stairwells or malfunctioning elevators 
• Injuries caused by overcrowded hallways, entrances, or sidewalks
• Parking lot accidents involving cars, moving trucks, or pedestrians
• Being struck by an unattended moving cart, dolly, or other equipment

Many of these accidents happen because someone failed to identify or correct a hazard before large crowds arrived.

Do Colleges Have a Responsibility to Keep Campus Safe?

Under Wisconsin premises liability law, colleges and universities generally have a duty to maintain reasonably safe property for students, parents, visitors, and others who are legally on campus.

The predictable nature of move-in day allows colleges and universities to anticipate increased foot and vehicle traffic and take reasonable measures to reduce known hazards, such as: 

• Repairing damaged walkways and stairwells
• Cleaning spills promptly
• Providing adequate lighting
• Managing vehicle and pedestrian traffic
• Keeping walkways free of unnecessary obstacles
• Assigning staff to monitor crowded areas

If the school knew or reasonably should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to correct it or warn visitors, it may be liable for injuries. 

This differs from injuries caused solely by your own actions, such as straining your back while lifting a heavy box. A college campus injury lawyer will focus on whether another party’s negligence contributed to the accident.

Who May Be Liable for a Move-In Day Injury?

Every accident is different, so liability depends on how the injury occurred and who controlled the area where it happened.

Responsible parties may include:

Sometimes more than one party shares responsibility. A thorough investigation can help determine who may be legally liable.

What Should You Do After a Move-In Day Injury?

The actions you take immediately after an accident can protect both your health and any future claim.

Seek Medical Care

Even if your injuries seem minor, get evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. Some injuries, including concussions, internal injuries, and soft tissue damage, may not be immediately obvious.

Take Photographs

If you are able, photograph:

• The hazardous condition
• Your injuries
• The surrounding area
• Any warning signs, or lack of them
• Damaged equipment or property

Conditions can change quickly during move-in, and security camera footage may be overwritten within days. Taking photographs and reporting the incident immediately can help preserve valuable evidence. 

Talk to Witnesses

Move-in day is crowded, meaning other students, parents, or volunteers may have seen what happened. Ask for names and contact information whenever possible before people leave campus.

Report the Accident

Notify campus security, housing staff, or another appropriate university representative.

If an incident report is prepared, request a copy or ask how you can obtain one later.

Avoid discussing fault with insurance representatives or signing documents before you understand your legal rights. 

Keep Your Records

Save everything related to the accident, including:

• Medical bills
• Treatment records
• Prescription receipts
• Photographs
• Communications with the university or insurance companies

These documents may become important if you pursue a claim.

How Wisconsin’s Comparative Negligence Law May Affect Your Claim

Sometimes insurance companies argue that the injured person was partially responsible for an accident.

Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You may still recover damages if your share of the fault is 50% or less, although your percentage of responsibility will reduce any recovery. 

Depending on whether the college is public or private, different legal rules and filing deadlines may apply. Claims involving public universities can sometimes require special notice requirements or shorter deadlines due to government immunity laws, making it important to act promptly. 

How a Wisconsin Premises Liability Lawyer Can Help

Campus injury claims often involve multiple parties, insurance companies, and questions about who controlled the property where the accident occurred. An attorney can investigate what happened, preserve important evidence, identify potentially responsible parties, and handle communications with insurers while you focus on recovering.

At Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers, we understand how disruptive a serious dorm move-in accident can be for students and their families. If unsafe property conditions or another person’s negligence caused your injuries, we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.