Sports Injury Attorneys in Los Angeles

Sports Injury Attorneys in Los Angeles

Our attorneys are dedicated to making sure that our clients get the top-rated legal care they deserve. Unfortunately, sports accidents could lead to traumatic and catastrophic injuries, which could lead to permanent injuries. These types of injuries will require thousands of dollars in medical treatments. That is why we are here to help. Unfortunately, many people who have been injured while playing sports do not even realize that they may have a claim against another party who may have caused the injuries.

There are certain circumstances where the responsibility is placed on another party to make sure that all sports players play safely and do not injure one another. In Los Angeles, you have the right to an attorney in order to hold the responsible party accountable for any injuries that you have suffered.

Have You Assumed the Risks If Injured While Playing Sports?

When it comes to sports injuries, understanding your legal rights is essential. You may wonder if you’ve assumed the risks involved when participating in physical activities, especially if you’ve been injured. Let’s explore the legal concept of “assumption of risk” and what it could mean for your personal injury case.

What Is the Assumption of Risk in Sports?

The legal theory called “assumption of risk” states that players who voluntarily engage in a sport may be responsible for their own injuries. This is because they knowingly accepted the inherent risks involved. For instance, if you choose to play football, you are generally aware that pushing, physical contact, and tackles are part of the game. Thus, by participating, you accept these potential dangers.

However, it’s important to recognize that not all injuries fall under this assumption. For example, while you may accept the risk of typical physical contact in football, you do not automatically assume the risk of severe, life-threatening injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which may result from negligent or reckless behavior. In such cases, the responsibility might fall on another party.

Can You Sue for a Sports Injury?

Yes, you can pursue a legal claim if you believe your injury was caused by negligence beyond the normal scope of the sport. If a coach, facility owner, or another player acted recklessly or failed to provide a safe environment, you may be entitled to compensation. For example, if your injury was caused by inadequate safety equipment, improper field conditions, or overly aggressive play encouraged by a coach, you might have a valid legal claim.

According to statistics reported by ABC7 News, sports injuries are a leading cause of emergency room visits, with a significant percentage of these injuries being preventable if proper precautions are taken. This highlights the importance of holding responsible parties accountable when injuries occur beyond the accepted risks of the sport.

When Do You Need an Experienced Attorney?

Navigating the complexities of sports injury cases can be challenging, especially when the defense argues that you assumed the risk. It’s crucial to have an experienced attorney who understands these nuances and can effectively challenge assumption of risk arguments. A knowledgeable attorney can gather evidence, consult with medical experts, and build a case to show that your injury was not an inherent risk but rather a result of negligence.

FAQs

Q: Are all injuries in sports covered by the assumption of risk?
A: No, not all injuries are covered. While some risks are inherent in sports, injuries caused by negligence, defective equipment, or dangerous playing conditions may not be considered assumed risks.

Q: Can I file a lawsuit if my child gets injured during a sports activity?
A: Yes, if your child’s injury was caused by someone else’s negligence or a failure to provide a safe environment, you may have the right to file a lawsuit. Always consult an experienced personal injury attorney to determine the best course of action.

For further reading on sports injuries and legal implications, you may also refer to reports by NBC LA and Fox 11 Los Angeles, which provide insights into the prevalence of sports injuries and legal cases in California.

When considering whether another party can be held responsible for sports-related injuries, it’s important to evaluate the circumstances and determine if negligence was involved. Sports inherently carry risks, but not all injuries are merely “part of the game.” In many cases, particularly when children are involved, schools, coaches, or sports organizations might be liable if they fail to take reasonable precautions.

Liability in Sports Injuries

If an injury occurs due to unsafe conditions or the negligence of responsible parties, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. For example, if a child is playing sports on school grounds and is injured due to unsafe conditions—like exposed electrical wiring or poorly maintained fields—the school could be held accountable for failing to provide a safe environment. Schools are legally obligated to maintain safe facilities and supervise children adequately. If they fail in this duty, they may be liable for injuries that result from their negligence.

Cases involving such negligence have been documented. For instance, a public school district was ordered to pay a $4.4 million settlement when a student suffered a severe head injury because the athletic trainers ignored his symptoms and allowed him to play, leading to a life-altering injury. This demonstrates that when schools or coaches fail to respond appropriately to injuries, they can be held accountable

Q&A: Can I Sue for Sports Injuries?

Q: If my child gets injured playing school sports, can I sue the school?

A: Yes, under certain conditions. If the injury occurred due to the school’s negligence, such as failing to maintain safe facilities or not providing adequate supervision or medical attention, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. For instance, if the school failed to remove a hazard that posed a risk to children, they could be found liable. Additionally, if coaches ignore injuries or improperly clear athletes to play, this may constitute negligence

Sports Litigation Alert

Premises Liability Lawsuits And Sports Injuries

Premises liability is a legal theory that holds the property owner accountable for any injuries that a party has suffered on their property. This is usually focused on unsafe conditions of the property, and how the unsafe conditions have caused injuries. Premises liability is a complex legal theory that should only be represented by an experienced lawyer.

• You must prove that the property owner had a duty to make sure that the property was safe and clear from any dangerous conditions. For example, a sports arena must make sure that the field, along with the areas for spectators are properly repaired and maintained.
• You must also prove that the property owner failed to abide by this duty. This is called a breach of the duty. You must show how the property owner failed to take any safe precautions.
• Next, you must show that this breach led to the accident. There must be a direct causation between the accident, and the injuries.
• The final step is to show that the injured party suffered damages. You must show exactly what type of damages you have suffered, such as physical injuries, along with any lost wages. 

Could I still file a lawsuit if I signed a waiver?

Usually, sports players sign a waiver or a release of liability prior to playing sports. This then raises the question of whether you could file a lawsuit if you signed such paperwork before playing sports. These forms are essentially limiting the injured party’s rights if they were to file a lawsuit for their injuries. However, these types of contracts do not necessarily mean that you have signed all your rights away. Contact our attorneys to see if you could recover compensation even if you have signed such documents.

If you’ve been injured while watching a sports event in Los Angeles, you may be entitled to legal recourse depending on the circumstances of the incident. Spectator injuries can occur due to various factors, such as flying balls, slip and falls, or even altercations with other fans. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:

Understanding Liability at Sporting Events

When attending a sports game, fans often assume a certain level of risk, especially for injuries caused by elements inherent to the game—like foul balls in baseball or pucks in hockey. This principle, known as the “Assumption of Risk,” is commonly used by stadium owners as a defense to limit their liability. However, there are important exceptions.

If a stadium owner fails to provide adequate safety measures, such as properly maintained protective netting, they may be held responsible for any resulting injuries.

Injuries Beyond the Scope of the Game

In some cases, injuries occur outside the normal course of the game. For example, fan fights, slip and fall accidents, or incidents involving inadequate security measures are not considered inherent risks that fans assume. Such situations may open the door for legal claims under premises liability laws.

If you’ve been injured at a sporting event in Los Angeles, consulting an experienced attorney is essential to determine whether you have a viable premises liability claim. The Heidari Law Group provides detailed information about premises liability on their site and offers free consultations for anyone seeking legal guidance (Heidari Law Group, Premises Liability Overview).

What if I had been injured by another spectator while watching sports in Los Angeles?

There are also common instances where other spectators have been involved in physical altercations with one another. If spectators disagree on a team, they may result in physical fights, such as throwing punches or pushing one another. Facilities have a responsibility to make sure that there are proper security measures, such as security guards that are constantly maintaining and supervising the premises to prevent any type of assault or battery.

What are some injuries that are common in sports?

Usually, there is a certain set of injuries that are very common among sports players. This means include:

• Sprains
• Knee injuries
• Hand injuries
• Ankle injuries
• Muscle injuries
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Broken bones
• Dislocations
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Death 

Who is responsible for a sports injury?

Below are some examples of parties who  could be responsible for sports injuries:

• Sports facility owner
• Sports facility manager
• Team manager
• Team owner
• Sports equipment manufacturer
• Schools
• Coaches 

What if I was also negligent while playing sports?

Sometimes, the player themself could be negligent while playing sports and could injure themselves.  But, even if you were partially responsible for your injuries, you can still recover compensation. The court will still consider the actions that the player took and the effect that their independent actions had. This may reduce the amount of compensation that the injured party could receive, but this does not waive the injured party’s right to file a lawsuit against the other negligent party.

How much does a Los Angeles sports injury attorney cost?

Our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys work through a contingency fee arrangement, which allows our attorneys to pay for all upfront costs. You don’t have to pay for our attorneys unless we have one compensation in your favor. We specialize in making sure that our clients get top-rated legal care, especially in the event that their injuries have been caused by another negligent party. 

Los Angeles Sports Injury Attorneys Near Me

Sports injuries could be very traumatic, and cause extensive injuries that may require thousands of dollars in hospital bills. Make sure that you have an experienced and successful personal injury attorney on your side to represent you and hold the negligent party accountable for any injuries that you have sustained. Whether you are playing soccer, football, basketball, etc., you have the right to hold the other party accountable for their negligence.

Sports injuries are often difficult to prove, especially if the other party claims that you, as a sports player, assumed the risk. Our successful attorneys with a track record of wins know just what to do when it comes to holding a negligent party accountable for sports injuries that you have suffered. Contact us today and set up a free case review.