> Oakland and Greater Bay Area Sports Injury Attorney
Over the last several decades, the intensity of children’s, high school, and college sports has increased. Teams, coaches and leagues are more driven now than ever before to play at a high level. Although this intensity can be beneficial in terms of becoming good at the sport, and learning discipline and competitiveness, it can also result in more injuries to players, and in some cases even deaths. In many cases, the accident could have been prevented with proper care.
In some situations, the coach, high school, administrator or league official can be held legally responsible for the injury. If the injury was the result of violence or poor sportsmanship from the other team, the other player or his or her team could be held responsible.
Risks of Athletic Activity
However, injuries are part of the risk associated with engaging in an athletic activity. Sports activities can be physically demanding, and are often dangerous. Some participants lack the physical stamina, or may have undiagnosed medical problems, that can result in serious injuries. Not everyone who is injured while playing a sport can sue for damages. There are basically two situations in which a person who is injured while playing a sport can sue for damages – negligence, and wanton or willful conduct.
If you can prove that a coach’s or player’s conduct caused another person’s injury, and the coach or player was acting negligently, the coach or player can be held liable. In order to prove negligence, you must show that the individual breached his or her duty of care, and that caused the player’s injuries. Some examples of negligence could include a coach keeping his players on the field for hours in 100 degree weather while failing to provide rest breaks or fluids, a coach failing to provide inexperienced football players with proper head protection while encouraging them to tackle roughly, or a gymnasium failing to keep its gymnastics equipment properly maintained.
Proving Liability in a Case of Sports Injury
If an individual is engaged in a contact sport, and is hurt as a result of contact, it can be harder to prove liability. In order to prove that another player is liable for the injuries, it must be shown that he or she acted intentionally in causing the injury. For example, if a football player pulled out a knife during a tackle and stabbed another player, he could be held liable. Although it’s expected that a person might get hurt during a football tackle by being hit by other players, knife injuries are not to be expected.
Any person who believes that another party is liable for his or her sports injuries may wish to talk to a San Francisco area attorney about those injuries. The defendant could be liable for medical expenses, such as hospital bills, rehabilitation expenses, and medication, and any other expenses involved. In addition, if the injury was intentional, the defendant could even be liable for punitive damages.
If You’ve Been Injured Contact Oakland’s Liberty Law
If you’re in the San Francisco area, including Oakland, Hayward, Berkeley, Fairfield or Tracy, and you have been injured while playing a sport, call Micha Star Liberty of Liberty Law at 415-896-1000 or 510-645-1000. At Liberty Law, Micha Star Liberty believes that while sports injuries are a natural part of playing the game, negligence and intentional misconduct are not, and those responsible should be held liable. Call her today.
