Youth sports are a huge phenomenon in America. There are millions of school leagues and clubs dedicated to youth sports. But, there are some alarming statistics regarding injuries sustained during these youth sports activities. There are approximately three million youth that come to the hospital emergency rooms for youth sports injuries, and another five million youth are seen by their primary care physician or a sports medicine clinic for injuries.
Although physical activity is necessary, intense activity for a long period can cause tissue breakdown. Overuse injuries such as stress fractures, tendonitis, bursitis, apophysitis, and osteochondral injuries of the joint surface can occur from intense youth sports. Below are some factors that can contribute to young athletes injuries:
- Imbalance of strength;
- Anatomic malalignment;
- Improper footwear and pre-existing conditions;
- Growth cartilage less resistant to repetitive microtrauma;
- Intense, repetitive training during periods of growth.
If an injury occurs to your child during a sports activity, make sure you have it checked out, especially if swelling, deformity, and/or loss of normal function happens. If you do not treat the negging injuries, it may lead to chronic problems that will require a much longer time away from the sport to allow the injury to heal properly.
Can a League or the School Be Liable for My Child’s Injuries?
Generally, there are no grounds for legal action in many of the youth sports because the participant “assumes the risk” of harm once they sign the waiver and voluntarily play the sport. However, there are cases where the school leagues and coaches can be held liable.
Most people know that participating in a sport can lead to some injury. Many contact sports have the risk of someone colliding with another player.
In terms of the consent waiver, the entity overseeing the sports activity may ask the parent to sign a release of liability on behalf of your child before they can take part in the sport. The release provides that participants cannot sue if they are injured, but these releases are not
enforceable in every situation. The notion of consent is important in school sports.
For example, in cases where the child suffered the injury resulting from negligent or intentional conduct rather than a mere accident, it would not automatically apply.
Furthermore, a victim can sue for a monetary damages award if their injury resulted from a risk that was not inherent to the sport. Some of these legal claims may consist of the following injuries:
- Intentional misconduct;
- Defective sports equipment;
- Negligent instruction or coaching;
- Unsafe sports facilities.
Moreover, coaches must provide adequate breaks for the youth participants. The young players need to properly hydrate and have clear instructions on how to handle the sports equipment. They have to explain how to engage in the sport safely and detail the inherent risks involved with the game. The coaches need to manage and oversee the games to enforce safety all across the games.
Each coach needs to be trained to handle any emergency that arises during a youth sports game. If a player suffers an injury, they should immediately respond accordingly and seek medical assistance if needed. Failure to provide reasonable precautions and support could expose them to liability. Schools and their employees have the responsibility and duty to protect the children entrusted to them. They need to be able to make reasonable efforts to prevent foreseeable injuries.
These can include maintaining proper equipment and ensuring that facilities used for sports are in safe condition. A parent of an injured child can hold a school liable if a school employee fails their duty to provide reasonable care, causing the injury. Moreover, they may be liable to pay for the medical costs resulting from the injury sustained in the sport.
What About Coaches and Instructors?
Coaches and instructors of youth sports have a responsibility to uphold the values of sportsmanship while ensuring a safe environment for the athletes to play in. The parents heavily rely on these mentors to handle an emergency. The coaches can reach the child and develop their skills for a particular sport.
Coaches in charge of a child often must act “in place of the parent.” This means that a coach has a responsibility to protect and supervise the child. The courts may hold them liable if they fail to meet the reasonable standard of care. Depending on each state, the laws may vary in how liability applies in each case.
If a coach’s actions or decisions led to an injury when they were encouraged to play more aggressively than is reasonable, it would be considered negligible. Moreover, blatantly ignoring the rules of the sport and endangering the health or safety of the participants can lead to liabilities.
Lastly, excessive physical strain on the body could also lead to an injury or a more severe medical condition. Therefore, if a coach pushes a young athlete beyond their physical capabilities or ignores a known injury, the coach may be held responsible for any harm the child suffers. Additionally, if your child experiences a medical emergency and the coach fails to act appropriately, the coach will be held liable for any additional injuries your child sustains.
What Is Sports Violence?
There are four categories when it comes to sports violence in general. First, there is brutal body contact, which is physical contact within the game and sports regulations. This can be a football tackle or another brutal contact with a player. Another category is borderline violence, which is a physical act that violates the game’s rules and causes bodily injury but is still generally accepted by participants and spectators. This could be a strong nudge when playing football.
Furthermore, there is quasi-criminal violence, which is conduct that violates the sport’s rules and possibly criminal laws. An example would be aggressively kicking someone in the knee during a soccer game. The last category is criminal violence, which is considered an extreme act that causes severe physical harm or even death. This will lead to criminal charges. If a fight erupts during the game and another player seriously harms another player.
This problem is understood throughout the families and communities of the sports industries. However, this issue needs to be addressed by everyone, including the fans who come to watch these games. Those who cannot adhere to proper conduct during the games should be held legally responsible.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
If your child suffered an injury during his sports game, you may have a case if it was due to the reasons mentioned earlier. Generally, sports leagues have parents sign waivers for liability, but it does not encompass all claims.
Therefore, if a coach is negligent in causing injury to your child, you can reach out to a personal injury lawyer to assist you with your situation. Playing safe while developing core sportsmanship is a priority for all youth sports games. The safety of the child should be the utmost priority for any game.
