Can I Sue My Child’s Athletics Team for a Brain Injury from Playing Sports? 

 Posted on November 22, 2022 in Personal Injury

Every year, kids all over America get injured as they participate in school sports like football, basketball, and cheer. For the most part, these injuries are just part of growing up and reflect an active, healthy kid who is taking normal risks. Unfortunately, however, some of the most serious injuries are sustained after carelessness or negligence on the part of school or program leadership. If your child was seriously hurt during an athletics program at school, meet with an Illinois personal injury attorney to see if you can take legal action. 

Are Schools Responsible For Injuries Sustained in Youth Sports Programs? 

Children and their parents usually have to sign agreements saying that they assume responsibility for the risks inherent in playing sports and that they will not hold the school or its employees liable for any injuries that occur during the program. 

However, many news stories across the country have told accounts of children who have been seriously injured or killed when a coach or other school employee exposed the children to risks that were not inherent to the sport. For example, stories of teenage boys passing out or even dying after being forced to run for hours at high intensity in hot, humid weather conditions without adequate access to water are not unheard of. 

In another example, a family successfully sued the maker of a football helmet after their son sustained serious brain injuries because the helmet maker did not adequately warn users about the dangers of concussions, even when wearing helmets. The case found that the child's coach was also liable for not ensuring the child got sufficient healthcare after sustaining a serious head impact. 

Head injuries are particularly dangerous in children’s sports programs because, even with the abundant research demonstrating the seriousness of traumatic brain injuries, many programs still do not offer children the protection they need after sustaining a head injury. Children may be asked to continue running, playing, and subjecting themselves to further brain injuries, which can lead to long-term and even fatal consequences. Both boys and girls are at risk. 

Contact a Rockford, IL Personal Injury Lawyer

If your child was injured in a sporting practice or match because of the negligence of a coach or other school staff, make sure you meet with a Winnebago County personal injury attorney to help you determine your options. You may be able to take legal action and recover compensation for your child’s injuries and suffering. Call Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law at 815-215-7561 today to schedule a free consultation. 

Source: 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2022/07/14/62-million-us-children-suffered-traumatic-brain-injuries-from-sports-equipment-from-2000-to-2019-with-a-higher-increase-among-girls-study-finds/?sh=104c9a432d11