Many people enjoy participating in sports and attending organized sports events because it provides an avenue for social interaction and exercise. During a sports event, no one likes to think about getting injured. However, the potential risk of injury is an inherent danger associated with participation. When you play a sport, this potential risk of injury is called the assumption of risk. Nonetheless, sustaining a sports-related injury can burden you with various physical, emotional, and financial damages that negatively impact your life. In such cases, you may wonder whether you can file a personal injury claim against a responsible party to seek monetary compensation for your losses. Please continue reading to learn when an injury is considered outside the score of expected risks, and contact our knowledgeable Westchester County Personal Injury Attorneys, who can help you determine whether you have valid grounds for filing a lawsuit. 

Can I sue if I was injured while participating in an organized sports event?

While playing a sport, there is always the possibility of getting injured, as it is a natural part of engaging in this type of activity. When we decide to play a sport, we understand that it can be inherently dangerous, but knowing the risks, we choose to play anyway. This is known as the assumption of risk. The assumption of risk diminishes your ability to take legal action for a sports-related injury as you understand that there is an inherent risk of injury as it is part of the nature of the game. Therefore, if you take an inadvertent elbow to the face during a cheerleading routine, there are no grounds for filing a lawsuit due to the assumed risk when deciding to play the sport.

When are injuries considered more than just part of the game?

Nonetheless, under certain circumstances, some injuries are more than just “part of the game” and warrant grounds for a lawsuit. Unfortunately, many sports come with a competitive nature and at least tend to get heated while playing. When this occurs, an individual may engage in dirty play and intentionally cause harm to another player. If another player intentionally injures you, their malicious behavior warrants valid grounds for filing a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your damages.

Another instance in which injuries are outside the scope of what can be expected is negligent coaching. If a coach does not allow their players to take a water break or throws them back into a game after an obvious injury, which results in suffering an illness or further injuries, you can file a claim against the negligent coach to seek compensation for your losses.

Furthermore, equipment malfunctions and unkempt facilities may constitute a product liability claim or premises liability case. Many sports require the use of safety gear to protect athletes from injuries. When sports equipment does not work as intended, it can be grounds for a lawsuit. The same reigns true if dangerous property conditions of a sports facility cause you to sustain injuries.

Despite many sports-related injuries simply being part of the game. There are a few instances in which injuries outside the scope of what can be expected as an inherent risk of playing a game constitute grounds for a lawsuit. To discuss your legal options, contact an experienced attorney from the legal team at Hausman & Pendzick today.