In the United States, over 36 million children participate in youth sports each year. Although organized youth sports are generally safe and well-supervised, all parents, children, and coaches should be aware of all the injury risks associated with these activities. And while most athletic injuries among children consist only of minor bruises and cuts, there are also risks of broken bones and even concussions in the more physical contact sports such as hockey and football.
Most sports injuries occur due to the natural course of the game, usually in entirely accidental circumstances, but some injuries are instead the result of a particular party’s negligence. In these cases, the child (via his/her parents) may be eligible for compensation for losses and injuries, including medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and/or opportunities, and punitive damages.
Concussions, in particular, continue to receive more attention and scrutiny as their effects are better understood, and concussions and TBIs can have serious and even lifelong complications for a child’s still-developing brain. Although there are protocols in place at all athletic levels to protect athletes against potential head injuries, negligence can occur when such signs and symptoms are ignored by coaching staff and they are allowed to continue playing.
Failure to provide proper medical care can also have lasting consequences.
This can occur when a child is injured during play and informs the coaching staff, but does not receive adequate care and/or returns to play without further protection. This can cause even minor injuries to significantly worsen in short periods of time and those responsible for supervising the event may be held responsible for the injuries sustained.
Coaches and chaperons may also be considered negligent for failure to provide proper and necessary equipment (or defective equipment) to players. This is especially applicable in the sport of football, which is widely played in middle and high schools nationwide and requires many types of protective equipment, though it applies to all sports played by children.
If your child has been injured during a sporting activity due to another person’s or party’s negligence, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, America’s Consumer Lawyer is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
