Many people play sports and belong to sports teams. You may have grown up playing sports and it’s just what your household does. When playing in contact sports you know that you run the risk of getting injured. Sports injuries happen fairly often and it usually isn’t seen as a big deal. When you agree to play on sports teams there are inherent risks for participating. Most injuries when playing sports are accidental or minor. For example, a sprained ankle is one of the most common sports injuries. The definition of a sports injury is any type of injury that is sustained by a person who participates in a sporting event.
These injuries are usually caused by overuse of a particular body part or caused by traumatic impact. You may be entitled compensation if someone injuries you in a sport and their manner is deemed as negligent or reckless in nature. When looking at sports injury law, it’s important to understand the “assumption of risk doctrine” as well as how to prove negligence.
Assumption of Risk Doctrine
“Assumption of risk doctrine” is a legal notion that means that those who are willing to participate in the sporting activity cannot hold co-participants liable for any injuries they may have sustained during the match. If this legal notion did not exist, then everyone could sue each other. It’s important to note, however, that participation in a sport does not mean that you will assume any and all the risks and injuries associated with it. For example, you cannot sue a someone on the rival team for hitting you with a baseball during a pitch. However, you may sue if someone threw the bat at you in anger from losing, and caused you to break your nose.
How to Prove Negligence
In order to have a grounds for suing for a sports injury, you must prove to be able to prove recklessness or negligence of the other party. You must prove that it was their negligence that caused your injury or that their behavior was intentional. You must prove that the other party acted carelessly and operated below the standard of care the would be expected of a reasonable person. In order to prove negligence you must prove that the other party owed you a duty of care. For example, all participants must show a duty of care to one another. They must do their best in trying to prevent injury. You must prove the party breached their duty of care. For example, a lacrosse player purposely running into another player not in conjunction with the game. You must show there was a connection between the breach of duty and the injury that the party caused. The last grounds to prove negligence would be that the injury was a predictable cause from the other parties actions (or inaction) and that the victim suffered as a result
When you get injured during a sport it can be tough. It’s even tougher and more stressful when it was due to someone’s reckless actions. Anyone may have a grounds to sue for sports injury. You need someone who is experienced in sports injury law and will fight for you. JML Law, A Professional Law Corporation is here to help you. Simply call our Los Angeles sports injury attorney today for a free consultation at 818-610-8800 or use this contact form.