Story highlights Danny Cevallos: After the Manchester attack, stricter security measures may be implemented at stadiums

Terrorism is so insidious because the harm extends beyond any blast radius, redefining "foreseeable" harm for the rest of us, writes Cevallos

(CNN) As of Tuesday evening, 22 people -- including children -- are dead after an explosion outside an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena in England.

Concerts and sporting events are particularly vulnerable terrorism targets because they feature large, captive audiences and stage high-profile events. With that in mind, what is the scope of responsibility of a stadium owner to paying eventgoers?

Danny Cevallos

Our law is derived from English common law, and a feudal system historically designed to protect landowners' proprietary interests. Back then, the landowner was considered a sovereign within the boundaries of his property, and the only duty he owed people on the property was to try not to willfully or wantonly injure them.

Modern law in both countries has evolved significantly. In the United States, the duty owed by owners and possessors of land has come to depend on the status of the person injured there: an invitee, licensee or trespasser. Concertgoers would be classified as "invitees": people on the property for a business purpose. A stadium in the United States owes an invitee the duty to keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition from foreseeable harm, or to warn invitees of hidden or concealed dangers.

A classic example of fulfilling this duty is the netting in a baseball stadium in the areas where foul balls are frequently hit. Getting struck by a foul ball is a foreseeable injury to a baseball fan sitting in that area, with a relatively inexpensive solution.

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