For many of those who have dedicated their lives to sport, whether in a professional or amateur capacity, injury is always a possibility. As sports people are often seeking marginal gains to become faster and stronger, injuries can happen as a direct result of pushing the limits of what is possible. Despite the possible high risk of injury, sports teams and clubs nevertheless have a duty to do all they reasonably can to protect the health and safety of members, participants, spectators and employees.
At Lavelle Partners, we have been successfully assisting people injured during sports to bring claims for over three decades. Often it may not be immediately apparent who was to blame for your accident, if indeed anyone was. We understand that sports injuries can range considerably in type and severity, and in some cases may require extensive ongoing medical treatment and therapy.
If you are unsure if your sports injury was the fault of another person, business, or public organisation, speak to one of our sports injury solicitors today. They will take the time to listen to the details of your accident with great care and empathy, and advise you of your legal options going forward. If you do have full legal grounds for a claim, we can take on your case for you, removing the matter entirely from your shoulders and allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Likewise, if you were injured at a sports event as a spectator, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim if the organiser failed to put in place reasonable health and safety measures to protect those watching.
What type of sports injury can I claim for?
Sports–related claims are commonly brought for injuries of the knee (such as a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament or medial collateral ligament), concussion, loss of consciousness, brain injury, spinal injury, broken bones or damaged vision.
Such injuries can be caused by a range of factors including:
- Dangerous tackling
- Poorly maintained facilities
- Violent behaviour
- Unsafe equipment
- Poor coaching or guidance
- Fatigue
- Collisions
- Poor signage (e.g. in skiing)
- Ineffective or non-existence barriers to protect spectators
- Poor marshalling and control of spectators
Who would I claim against for a sports injury?
It is important to understand that not all sports injuries are due to the negligent actions (or inactions) of another party. Our team of specialist sports injury solicitors will be able to advise if you have grounds for a claim and who the negligent party is likely to be. This might include a sports coach, sports ground owner, team, club, gym, hotel, equipment manufacturer, holiday company, or event organiser.
Do I have grounds for a sports injury claim?
To bring a claim against a negligent party for your sports injuries, it will be necessary to prove:
- The party owed you a duty of care – if you were not owed a duty of care, no claim can be brought, and;
- The duty of care was breached, and;
- The breach of care led to your sports injury.
This means that in some contexts, it may not be possible to make a claim because there is a lack of proof that negligence occurred. One of our primary roles will be to establish if there are grounds for a claim and if so, to create a compelling case that proves the other party held legal culpability which they breached, leading to your injury.
What may a claim for a sports injury cover?
Claims following Sports injuries due to negligence may cover two areas of loss:
- Pain and suffering due to the injury;
- Specific costs resulting from the injury caused. This may cover costs already incurred, such as transport, accommodation, and medical treatment, and expected future expenses, such as physical therapy and care costs.
The costs you receive will be based on the precise injuries suffered and the circumstances of the case.
How Lavelle Partners sports injury solicitors can assist you in bringing a claim
- Lavelle Partners have successfully managed many cases of sports injury caused by the negligence of another party.
- Our team have been helping clients since 2004, with decades of combined experience across the team, and place client care at the centre of everything they do.
- From the first moment you speak to one of our solicitors, we will listen to your case carefully and with empathy and will only recommend advancing your case if we believe you have a valid case.
- We have both the legal expertise and understanding of the real-life challenges faced by individuals and their families following such events.
- Our solicitors will manage the process entirely on your behalf; compiling the information necessary for your case, including medical notes and managing the submission of your personal injury claim.
By allowing us to handle your claim on your behalf, you can focus on what is most important your recovery and care, or that of your family member or loved one.
For further information on making a claim for a sports injury in Ireland, please contact Lavelle Partners in confidence on (01) 644 5800 or email Avril Scally at ascally@lavellepartners.ie
