Sports accidents occur during participation in sports or other exercise. They can affect anyone from professional athletes to people participating in sports; either to improve their health or simply for recreation. Generally sports accidents involve those participating in a sport, but they can also involve bystanders and fans. A fan can get hit in the face with a fly ball just as easily as a player can. Each year, 42 % of people between the ages of 15 and 24 are injured in a sports related accident. Sports injuries make up 23 % of all trauma cases each year. The term “sports accident” covers a range of accidents that can cause many different types of injuries. Sports injuries can range from a temporary sprain to a serious spine or head injury.
Common sports injuries include :
- Sprains and Strains. A sprain is the tear of a ligament caused by trauma that knocks the joint out of position. A strain is a twist, pull, or tear of a muscle or a tendon. Strains are the result overextending or over contraction.
- Knee Injuries. Knee injuries are a common sport injury, as the knee is the most easily injured joint. Knee injuries can range from a twist, to a bone or cartilage damage.
- Fractures. Fractures are a break in the bone. There are two different types of fractures : acute and stress fractures. Acute fractures occur during a one time injury to the bone. Stress fractures occur over time from continuous stress being put on the bone.
- Dislocations. This type of sports injury is when two connected bones become separated at the joint.
- Head injuries. This is most serious form of a sports injury. There are three different conditions that can occur as the result of a head injury. The first is subdural hematoma, which can occur after a mild injury. It will develop over a span of a few days to a few weeks and is the most common cause of death in athletes with head injuries. The second form of head injury is second-impact syndrome. Second impact syndrome includes brain swelling when an athlete suffers from a concussion while still recovering from a previous head injury. The third type of head injury, chronic post concussion syndrome, is characterized by blurred vision, headaches, and a lack of concentration.
When building a sports accident case, the focus is on fault. There are many people that could be at fault for a sports injury. A sports accident could be the fault of another player. Fault could also extend to coaches, trainers, medical professionals, sports insurance providers, and the owners of sports arenas.
There are legal duties that team trainers and physicians need to adhere to :
- Provide proper medical treatment for the athletes or help them to obtain it
- Be able to properly assess the athlete’s physical condition
- Provide clearance for athletes to participate in sports activities
- Inform athletes of risks of participating in sports / exercise with their medical condition
Sports accidents have the potential to cause serious injuries. It is important to make sure that they are treated correctly. It is also important to remember that you may not be at fault for your injury and may be able to receive compensation. If you or someone you know has been injured in a sporting accident be sure to contact an attorney to find out if you are legally entitled to damages.