Participating in sports is an integral part of a school’s curriculum for most students, but it doesn’t come without risks or injuries. Head trauma, fatigue, heat related issues, sprains and broken bones can come with the territory when your child is involved in competitive sports. However, you may be asking who would be held liable if an injury was sustained in this type of setting.
The Negligence Factor
Schools are basically protected from liability claims. If a student has sustained an injury, and you are looking to seek liability from the coach, a negligence claim would have to be filed. The plaintiff would have to prove negligence by determining that the student was in the coach’s care, and the coach failed to protect them properly. According to our Philadelphia personal injury lawyer, a perfect example of this would be if a coach made a student practice outdoors where the temperatures exceeded 100 degrees, and the child suffered heat related injuries. The coach would be held liable for failing to protect the student by providing water and shade under such extreme weather related conditions. Other acts of negligence include a coach allowing unauthorized personnel to administer coaching duties to the students, letting injured players compete in the sport, failing to provide the players with the right amount of training and improper movement of an injured player.
Necessary Precautions
Injuries and health related issues can be avoided. Before your child participates in any activity, you will need them to obtain a full medical physical by a licensed physician. This will ensure that they are in good health, and they are not suffering from any physical ailments. Do your research and get the accident statistics for the activity that your child will be enrolling in. It helps to know what the common injuries are for that particular sport. You may also want to check with your health care provider to determine the type of policy coverage you have in place. Have your medical cards handy in case of an emergency. Question the coach and assistants and ask if they are properly trained in first aid and CPR. Also, make sure the team has the proper equipment for each participant. Getting injured is a common occurrence in sports related school activities. If you feel a coach has been remiss in their duties, and your child has been injured, or they have suffered a serious health related issue, it is best to seek legal counsel.
