Can I Claim Against a Sports Club for a Serious Injury?

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Jonathan Thursby

Associate Solicitor, Personal Injury Claims

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Absolutely! Sports clubs are responsible for making sure that any visitors or pupils to their premises are reasonably safe, and the club also has a duty of care to its employees as well.

That means anyone either visiting or working at a sports club could claim compensation if they’re injured and believe it’s because the sports club was negligent in some way.

The question of negligence is important because many sports, from football to gymnastics, carry some risk of injury, and that is generally accepted. But that doesn’t mean sports clubs can simply ignore health and safety regulations.

Taking part in any sport can be dangerous as you’re often moving at speed in close proximity to other people. It’s fair to expect the odd injury, especially if you play a sport regularly. But, if you’ve suffered an injury due to someone’s actions, faulty equipment or poor supervision as a player, spectator, or worker, you could claim compensation.

It is estimated that every year there are 1-1.5 million people who attend A&E a year in Britain due to sports related injuries, or exercise. This, can be due to an accident, but sometimes, they could be down the sports club’s fault.

In order to ensure the sports club is safe, they are required to carry out risk assessments and put appropriate measures in place to control these risks, such as making sure that:

  • Facilities are well maintained
  • There is clear safety signage
  • First aiders and respiratory equipment are available when needed

If they fail to take these basic safety steps and you’re injured as a result, you could have grounds to claim compensation for a serious injury.

Our Personal Injury Solicitors are specialists in this area of law, with a strong track record of helping people injured in public places claim compensation.

So, if you’ve been injured at a sports club and are thinking of making a claim, call us for a free claims assessment and we’ll be happy to speak with you.

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Can I Claim Compensation If I Was Injured as a Spectator of Sport?

It’s possible to claim compensation if you were injured as a spectator of sport if we can prove something could have been done to prevent your injuries.

Just like any other public place, the business who run the sporting event or manage the venue are responsible for keeping members of the public safe from injury. This means that you can make a claim for compensation if they were negligent in this legal duty of care.

For example, you may have been injured by:

  • Tripping, slipping or falling in a crowd, due to bad lighting or another hazard. Equipment and facilities should be properly maintained;
  • Unsafe seating;
  • Being crushed due to poor organisation and a lack of crowd control
  • Being hit by a fast-moving object e.g. a golf ball, football or even a car or horse at a competition.

What Can I Claim Compensation For?

You can claim compensation for:

  • Your physical and psychological injuries
  • The pain and suffering you’ve gone through
  • The impact of your injuries on your quality of life

These are known as General Damages.

We’ll also calculate your Special Damages, which reflect the financial consequences of your injury, which could include:

  • The cost of medical treatment
  • Loss of earnings if you’ve not been able to work
  • Other outgoings such as travel expenses to medical appointments
  • The cost of any care, support and rehabilitation you need

We’ll aim to put together a settlement that reflects your specific needs and priorities, so you’re in the best possible position to rebuild your life following your injury.

What Evidence Do I Need to Make a Claim?

To claim compensation for a sports club injury, it has to be proven that the club was negligent and that this led to you being injured.

That means it’s important to produce evidence to support your claim.

Firstly, you should report your accident as soon as possible to the club management, so it can be recorded in the accident book, and make sure that you explain exactly what caused your accident and what injuries you sustained.

If possible, you should also take photographs of whatever it is that caused your injury, before the sports club has a chance to make any changes.

Next, if anyone else saw your accident, try to take their name and contact details, so they can be contacted later to provide a witness statement.

Finally, keep records of any relevant documents, such as medical correspondence and receipts of any expenses, as this can help us assess the wider impact of your injury.

What if I’m a Personal Trainer and I’m Not Employed by the Club?

If you’re a Personal Trainer, the sports club still owes you a duty of care, so you can still claim compensation if you’re injured through no fault of your own.

What if the Sports Club has Closed Down Since my Accident?

This would not prevent you from making a claim, as we may still be able to make a claim against their insurance company.

If you have any questions about making a claim for a serious injury at a sports club, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert Personal Injury Solicitors.

If you’ve suffered a sports injury in an accident that could’ve been prevented, get in touch with our leading Personal Injury lawyers for a Free Claims assessment. We could help you claim compensation on a No Win, No fee basis, just call us on 0808 239 3227 to find out more.

References:

Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (n.d.). Risk assessment: Template and examples. https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/risk-assessment-template-and-examples.htm

Emergency Medicine Journal. (2004). Workplace accidents: Are they preventable? https://emj.bmj.com/content/21/6/704.full

Trade Union Congress (TUC). (n.d.). What are the main health and safety regulations? https://www.tuc.org.uk/guidance/what-are-main-health-and-safety-regulations

Jonathan Thursby

Associate Solicitor, Personal Injury Claims

Areas of Expertise:
Personal Injury

Jonathan is an Associate Solicitor in our Serious Injury department, specialising in Employers’ Liability (accidents at work) and Public Liability (accidents in a public place) cases.

He prides himself on being approachable and sensitive to the needs of his clients, and he is also practical with strong attention to detail.

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