Sports-related Injuries Among Youth

At any level of athletics, be it professional, recreational, or in high school/college, there is an inherent risk of sports-related injuries. When it comes to fault, however, many questions may arise: who is liable for injuries that may occur? Who is responsible for minimizing the risks of injuries? And to what degree should they be held responsible when injuries occur?

As we have seen in professional sports, particularly football and hockey, serious sports-related injuries can have lifelong consequences if not treated properly. While ensuring that an injured individual receives appropriate medical care is always the highest priority, determining liability (especially considering the high costs of health care) may be just as important.

While health insurance generally covers children who have sustained sports injuries, it’s important to be aware of the extent of your coverage, as damages which exceed its limits may force you to pay out-of-pocket.

The controversy of sports injuries is often centered on youth and teenagers who play sports recreationally or in school, and it’s easy to see why: studies show that as many as three-million children under the age of fourteen have been treated for sports-related injuries, and this is not including teenagers. What’s more frustrating is that many of these injuries occur during practice sessions when children are less supervised by adults than in actual games.

If your child has been injured as a result of negligence during a sports activity, you may be entitled to compensation for damages such as appropriate medical care, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, and property damage. If the particular school or athletic association has specialized insurance, it may assist parents in covering medical expenses; if the organization’s negligence resulted in the injury, however, the parents may have the opportunity file suit against it to earn this compensation.

If you are unsure that a lawsuit is the best course of action, ask yourself these questions:

Was your child injured beyond “reasonable expectations?” Could the accident have been avoided? Was the accident due to negligence or misconduct of any kind? Was appropriate medical care provided after the injury occurred? How substantial are the costs associated with the injury?

If your child has been injured in a sports-related accident, contact 844 See Mike 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, 844 See Mike is not paid attorney’s 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.