Each year across the nation, millions of people, young and old, engage in sports as a form of exercise or recreation. However, participating in sports, while it’s good fun, increases the risk of a person suffering injury. Although sports injuries can occur at any level of competition, athletes who engage in professional sports are at a higher risk of injury.
In fact, according to a report by the National Safety Council, 3.6 million people were treated in emergency rooms for sports and recreation-related injuries in 2022. Sports injuries can range from minor cuts to life-changing or fatal injuries. Quite frequently, it is discovered that sports-related injuries occur due to the negligence or carelessness of someone else.
While it may not initially seem that a negligent party was responsible for your sports injury, an experienced personal injury lawyer can determine whether this is so. At Fielding Law, our attorneys have years of experience handling various types of personal injury cases and can provide you with legal options. If you or your loved one has suffered a sports injury, call us at (877) 880-4090 for a free consultation with a sports accident lawyer.
Common Causes of Sports Injuries
Generally, playing sports involves people constantly moving and using equipment, which means injuries can occur at any given moment. In some cases, it is the athlete’s own actions that may cause his or her injury. However, an injury sometimes results from factors beyond the athlete’s control.
Some of the most common causes of sports injuries include:
- Defective equipment: If sports equipment is faulty, an athlete will be vulnerable to suffering an injury. Defective sports equipment can include poorly manufactured footwear, helmets, and padding.
- Poorly maintained playing fields: Slippery and uneven surfaces can cause an athlete to trip and fall, resulting in a serious injury. Proper maintenance, on the other hand, would ensure a level playing field for athletes running at top speed.
- Abusive coaches: In some cases, a coach may force a player to perform drills or other tactics that are beyond his or her ability. Or the coach may pit an athlete against a competitor who is bigger or stronger than him or her. These coaching tactics may result in the athlete suffering an injury.
- Dehydration: While engaging in a sporting event, an athlete may perspire profusely. If he or she does not drink sufficient water to replenish lost fluids, dehydration will result. Once dehydration sets in, an athlete may suffer heat stroke due to a strain on the muscles and an increase in body temperature.
This list is by no means comprehensive. There are several other possible causes of a sports injury, such as the overuse of muscles or exasperating a previous injury. However, this list shows that sometimes the cause of a sports injury may be negligence that is beyond the athlete’s control.
Common Types of Sports Injuries
As mentioned, engaging in sports always comes with an increased risk of athletes suffering an injury. Sports-related injuries can range from mild to severe. Some common types of sports injuries include the following.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
One of the most serious types of sports injury that an athlete can suffer is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Sports that involve contact or a fast-moving ball, such as boxing, football, and soccer, bring an increased risk of a player suffering a TBI.
Traumatic brain injuries include the following:
- Concussions
- Hemorrhages
- Cerebral contusions
Traumatic brain injury requires rapid medical attention as it is potentially life-threatening.
Spinal cord injury (SCI)
Some sports have an elevated risk of participants experiencing spinal cord injuries (SCI). These sports include diving, horseback riding, and gymnastics – to mention a few.
Since the spinal cord helps the brain to control the various functions of the body, any degree of spinal cord injury is serious. The results of an SCI can be loss of motion, a weakening of the muscles, and even irreversible paralysis.
Broken bones
Another type of injury common in contact sports is broken bones. Sometimes, the force of impact upon contact can fracture bones in the legs, arms, pelvic area, and shoulders. Although it is rare that a bone break will be life-threatening, the initial pain can be excruciating, and recovery can take quite a while.
Soft-tissue injuries
Overuse of, or trauma to, the muscles or joints can lead to soft-tissue injuries. These injuries relate to the tissue that connects the bones, such as tendons and ligaments. Examples of soft-tissue injuries that can result from playing sports include sprains, tears to the ligaments or tendons, and contusions.
A very common type of soft tissue injury that results from sports is knee injuries, such as tears to the:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
This list is a small example of the many types of injuries that can result while engaging in sports. While an accident resulting in a player being injured can happen on the playing field, sometimes the cause of the injury is some form of negligence.
Who May Be Liable for a Sports Injury
In the aftermath of a sports injury, the question of who is responsible for causing the injury and paying compensation arises. An investigation of the incident may reveal one or more potentially liable parties.
Potential at-fault parties may include:
- The coach or supervisor: If a coach pushes a player beyond his or her limits and an injury occurs, then the coach could be held liable for the resulting damages. This would also be true if the coach or referee failed to enforce the rules of safety while on the field or court.
- The owner of the field or facility: Property owners are legally obligated to maintain their property in a safe condition for all visitors. If the facility where the sport is being played has not been properly maintained and an injury occurs due to a hazardous condition, then the owner could be liable.
- The manufacturer: The law requires manufacturers to test products to ensure safety before the products leave the factory. If an investigation reveals that the accident was caused by faulty equipment, such as a helmet or padding, then the designer or manufacturer of that equipment could be responsible to pay out compensation for damages.
- Another player: When an athlete shows flagrant disregard for the safety of the other players, and an injury occurs, that athlete could be held liable. This is especially true in contact sports, where an athlete may be tempted to harm an opponent deliberately.
This list highlights why the assistance of an experienced sports accident lawyer is needed in the aftermath of a sports injury. A knowledgeable attorney would know how to perform a thorough investigation to gather the evidence, isolate the facts, and pursue all potentially liable parties for compensation.
Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled to Receive
While some sports injuries may be mild, others could have life-changing consequences. If your sports injury resulted from negligence on the part of another party, you have a legal right to be compensated for damages suffered.
Compensation for your losses and damages may include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Present and future lost income
- Household renovation for disability
- Pain and emotional suffering
- Lost enjoyment of life
Speak to a Sports Accident Lawyer Near You Today
Remember that you have rights that can be protected when you or your loved one has suffered a sports injury. You do not have to suffer in silence if the cause was someone else’s negligence. In such a case, it only makes sense that the at-fault party pays for your recovery. However, the investigation and litigation process can be complicated without the assistance of an experienced attorney.
To receive compensation, you must first prove that the potentially at-fault party owed you a duty of care and that it was breached. Next, you must show that your injury was a direct result of negligence on the part of the at-fault party, and as a result, you suffered a loss.
Once these points are proven, you would have to negotiate a fair settlement with insurance company adjusters who will be looking to minimize your claim. Therefore, it is vital that you speak with an experienced sports accident lawyer.
Why exacerbate any stress you may be feeling in the aftermath of a sports injury by trying to pursue compensation on your own? A knowledgeable sports accident lawyer can make the legal process easier for you. After all, he or she would be familiar with the entire process, including tactics used by skillful insurance adjusters.
The sports accident lawyer that you choose will have a direct impact on your claim. So make the right choice by choosing the attorneys of Fielding Law.
When you hire us, our personal injury attorneys will put their years of legal experience to work for you to get you every penny you deserve. To discuss your case and learn about your legal options, call us at 877-880-4090 or fill out our online contact form. Our initial consultation is free, and we only collect payment if you get compensation.
