How to Protect Your Kids from Sports-Related Injuries This Fall
As the fall sports season begins, your kids are likely very eager to return to their friends on their football, soccer, and cross-country teams. While we tend to enroll our kids in sports to teach them about hard work and being on a team, the experience can also lead to serious injuries like concussions, sprains, and fractures. Such injuries are not just minor issues; they often require hospital visits and can hold back a child’s academic performance during recovery.
Understanding how most sports injuries might occur and taking steps to prevent them means everyone wins. However, if your child suffers an injury due to a coach’s or school’s negligence, you may have legal options to cover their medical expenses.
If your child is hurt in a sporting accident, we are here to help.
Our client was playing basketball at a local school when a poorly-maintained basketball pole fell and struck his back. He sustained life-altering injuries. We fought hard for him and won his case for $2,200,000.
Common sports injuries in kids
Fall sports can be tough on the bodies of young athletes, and certain injuries are more likely to happen this time of year.
Concussions
Sports like football and soccer can lead to head injuries. Even a small bump to the head can cause a concussion, which might have lasting effects if not treated properly. Be sure your child wears all required safety gear.
Sprains and strains
These injuries happen when muscles or ligaments are stretched too far or torn. Ankles, knees, and wrists are particularly at risk because of the sharp, sudden movements required for most sports.
Fractures and breaks
Playing contact sports like football can sometimes result in broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, and collarbones. These injuries can be serious and might take a long time to heal, impacting the rest of your child’s school year.
Overuse injuries
If kids train a lot without enough rest, they can suffer from repetitive stress injuries, like tendonitis or stress fractures, especially in activities like cross-country running. Coaches must recognize this and not push their athletes too far.
Malfunctioning equipment
Sometimes, a school doesn’t look after its sports equipment very well, or the equipment is not made properly. When this happens, it can break and possibly hurt a child. This might be a muddy field, a shattered helmet, or even an unrepaired diving board in the school’s pool.
Legal responsibilities of coaches and schools
Schools, coaches, and other intramural sporting orgs have a duty of care toward their young athletes. They need to provide well-maintained equipment, a safe place to plant, and good supervision. If your child is injured due to them neglecting any of these things, you can hold the school or organization accountable for medical expenses, therapy, and any costs related to your child’s missed school days or ongoing care.
What to do if your child is hurt in a sports accident
These are the steps you have to take after your child gets hurts in a sports accident:
Get medical help right away
Even if the sports injury looks minor, have a doctor check your child to ensure they get the right treatment and rule out anything more serious.
Keep a record of the injury
Take pictures of the injury and keep any medical reports or records of treatments. Let the school or organization know right away and make sure the injury is officially reported.
Talk to a personal injury lawyer
If the injury was due to negligence, a lawyer can help you figure out if you have a claim and assist you with the legal steps.