Youth Sports Injuries: Liability, Negligence, and TBI
A new school year means a new school sports season. High school football and basketball unite communities all over America and bind student peer groups together. The memories made and victories won can last a lifetime. Malloy Law is proud to support youth sports in our region. We believe that youth sports teach skills which can prove invaluable as young people grow into adults. Establishing fitness as a young person can lead to years of healthy living. However, with physical activity comes the inherent risk of injury. Today’s Malloy Law blog post will examine youth sports injuries, with a particular focus on TBI. We’ll also consider questions of liability and negligence in extreme cases. Let’s get started.
Youth Sports Injuries: An Unfortunate Part of the Game
A sports injury, even a serious one, is not likely to give the injured party any legal path to claim compensation. These incidents are unfortunate, and may result from unsafe play deemed “illegal” under the rules of the game. But this does not constitute negligence in a personal injury context. Most if not all sports come with inherent risks of injury. Youth sports leagues, whether attached to schools or run separately as community organizations, generally require the signature of liability waivers to establish that all parties involved in these sports are generally aware of the risks.
However, there are limits to the protections afforded by waivers. Furthermore, there are limits to rough play in a sporting context. As a parent, it’s important to have conversations with your young athlete about sportsmanship and proper conduct towards teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials. Losing one’s composure could mean consequences far beyond the game. An extracurricular altercation in a sporting context could still result in assault charges. In our interconnected age, more than one youth athlete has found themselves subject to harsh public judgement after such an incident.
What Does Negligence Look Like in Youth Sports?
Youth sports coaches and school administrators take on an immense responsibility towards their young athletes. When that responsibility is not approached with appropriate seriousness, it can result in tragedy. Parents, if your child is expressing concerns to you about their youth sports experience, or if you fear something just isn’t quite right, it’s worth getting in touch with the adults in charge.
Be on the lookout for:
- Defective or poorly maintained equipment
- Unsafe facilities
- Unsound or reckless training practices
- Any form of abuse by a coach or other authority figure
You may be able to prove negligence in any of these cases, and an experienced personal injury lawyer can help.
While these circumstances are extreme, they do happen, and they happen at the highest levels of sporting competition. In 2018, University of Maryland football player Jordan McNair collapsed due to severe heat stroke at a summer workout, slipped into a coma, and died weeks later. Investigations revealed a culture of abuse and intimidation rampant within the UMD football program under then-head coach DJ Durkin. McNair’s family were awarded $3.5 million in compensation in 2021.
A Note on Youth Sports Injuries and TBI
While football remains central to the fabric of life in many American communities, a new awareness of the risks of the game has given many parents pause when considering whether to allow their children to take part. Studies on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in football players have shown the long-term degenerative effects of repeated blows to the cranium. This can be especially worrying in the context of youth football, as children, teens, and even some collegiate players are young enough that their brains will still be developing through their playing years.
We here at Malloy Law believe that parents should do what they feel is best for their children, and that decisions about the long-term health and development of our nation’s youth should be treated with the utmost seriousness. The physical and social benefits of sports are obvious for young people, but the risks should be considered and weighed with equal care. The risk of TBI is by no means exclusive to football, and any youth sport should be approached with an eye towards teaching, coaching, practicing, and playing in such a way as to give the best possible chance of safety and fun for all.
How Malloy Law Can Help
If you or a loved one suspects negligence leading to injury or abuse in a youth sporting context, Malloy Law may be able to help. Our experienced personal injury attorney team and dedicated support staff will evaluate your case free of charge and plot a path to maximum compensation on your behalf. Contact Malloy Law today and let’s win your case!