Summer is a great time of year! There are so many wonderful things to enjoy. Participating in sports of all kinds is one of the most popular spring and summer activities. But what happens when one of those activities goes wrong, and you or your child gets hurt? Summer sports injuries can truly just be an accident, but they can also happen because of another person’s negligence and poor judgment.
Holding responsible parties accountable for summer sports injuries can be challenging. It may be difficult to prove negligence or even determine who should be held liable in the first place. Below are a few things to know about summer sports and what to do if an injury occurs.
Benefits of Summer Sports
The benefits associated with youth and adults playing sports or being active are incredible. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these benefits include:
- Weight management
- Reduced risk of disease
- Strengthening bones and muscles
- Improved brain health
- Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
- Lowering your risk for some cancers
- Improved balance
- Increased self-esteem
- Improved life skills (time management, goal setting, etc.)
While the benefits are certainly great for those that participate in sports, summer sports injuries do occur, and legal ramifications may follow. Having a legal team like Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C. to consult with if an injury does happen can be a lifesaver.
Most Common Types of Summer Sports Injuries
While summer sports injuries are common, not all of them are always serious. There is a risk of injury in all sports activities, and while they shouldn’t keep you from playing, it’s essential to know what those risks are so you can try to avoid them and stay safe. The type of injury often depends on the sport of choice. Baseball players are known for shoulder injuries, and football players are often associated with concussions. In general, some of the most common summer sports injuries are:
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Shoulder dislocations
- Shin splints
- Growth plate fractures
- Torn ACL
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
How Were You Injured?
Important precautions should be taken by any organized sporting group (recreational leagues, school teams, etc.) to minimize risk and ensure everyone can stay as safe as possible. You shouldn’t assume that any organized sports group understands or abides by these basic and important precautions.
For example, facilities may not always be maintained properly. A basketball player could stumble on a piece of flooring that has lifted on the gym floor, or an athlete playing soccer could trip and turn an ankle if the field has been neglected.
Summer Sports and the Elements
Sporting injuries can occur in more indirect ways as well. Exposure to harsh elements, especially extreme heat, can be extremely dangerous. This type of injury can harm even the most experienced athletes. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburns, or even lightning strikes can be very serious and life-threatening.
Playing hard in the heat of the day can also speed up these injuries. Allowing yourself or your youth to spend long hours at practice during the warmest times of the day is never a good idea. Players and coaches should be well educated on recognizing heat fatigue, including things like:
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe headaches
- Trouble talking
- Red face
- Extreme exhaustion or weakness
Precautions must be put into place by leagues, companies, and schools to protect participants from the elements as much as possible. Practicing in the early or later hours when it isn’t so hot is a good start. Taking several water breaks or resting in shaded areas to cool down can help lower the risk of severe injury and heat-related fatigue.
Tips for Staying Safe
Not all injuries can be avoided, but risk can be minimized through:
- Wearing safety equipment (helmets, pads, and other guards)
- Staying hydrated
- Taking breaks
- Easing into activity after the long winter months
- Using sunscreen
- Addressing issues with coaches and leagues early on if you see potential hazards or dangers
- Being smart and using your best judgment
Who Could Be Held Liable for Injuries?
When summer sports injuries occur, there can be several different parties responsible. Anyone from the sports league to the coach, parents, and more can be held liable. Just because there’s an injury that happens doesn’t always mean that someone is to blame, either. Accidents do happen, and this is why it’s important to connect with your lawyer at Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C. to learn more about liable parties as well as to obtain help determining if a lawsuit could/should be filed in the first place.
Proving Negligence
To prove negligence on the part of another party, the plaintiff must:
- Show that the defendant owed them a duty of care. Most of the time, the defendant owes the plaintiff a duty to deliver “reasonable care.”
- Prove the defendant had a duty of care that was breached.
- Demonstrate that they were injured because of that breach of care.
Damages That Can Be Recovered
Compensation that you can recover for damages is different in each state, but for the most part, you can recover:
- Medical expenses (including future medical expenses)
- Pain and suffering
- Property damages
- Emotional pain and suffering or distress
- Lost wages (if minors are involved, this includes the youth’s ability to earn income in the future)
Experienced Attorneys Working for You
If you or your teen has been hurt and are experiencing summer sports injuries, you need experience on your side to help you navigate the legal domain. Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C. are that experience you need to represent you and take care of the legal events and details that may follow.
Having that listening ear and qualified advice from someone you can trust is invaluable in the case of summer sports injuries or any other injury you may experience. Call Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C. at (504) 522-2304 and meet with our team of experts today.
