[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/youth-sports-injuries-what-is-the-coachs-responsibility-to-keep-players-safe\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/youth-sports-injuries-what-is-the-coachs-responsibility-to-keep-players-safe\/","headline":"Youth Sports Injuries: What Is the Coach\u2019s Responsibility to Keep Players Safe?","name":"Youth Sports Injuries: What Is the Coach\u2019s Responsibility to Keep Players Safe?","description":"According to the\u00a0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, \u201cMore than 2.6 million children 0-19 years old are treated in the emergency department each year for sports and recreation-related injuries.\u201d Some of the most\u00a0common sports injuries\u00a0include sprains and strains, broken bones, scrapes and bruises, and concussions. Of course, this risk is part of the game: you...","datePublished":"2018-08-20","dateModified":"2024-05-22","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/author\/rizklaw\/#Person","name":"Rizk Law","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/author\/rizklaw\/","identifier":9,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10e23ce5e6c4dadb4589cd8edf2c3f59ac356a6e876c3656917777913d9c3bc1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10e23ce5e6c4dadb4589cd8edf2c3f59ac356a6e876c3656917777913d9c3bc1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Rizk Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rizk-law-logo-footer.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/rizk-law-logo-footer.jpg","width":278,"height":65}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Richard-Rizk-headshot.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Richard-Rizk-headshot.jpg","width":383,"height":427},"url":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/youth-sports-injuries-what-is-the-coachs-responsibility-to-keep-players-safe\/","about":["Personal Injury"],"wordCount":582,"articleBody":"According to the\u00a0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, \u201cMore than 2.6 million children 0-19 years old are treated in the emergency department each year for sports and recreation-related injuries.\u201d Some of the most\u00a0common sports injuries\u00a0include sprains and strains, broken bones, scrapes and bruises, and concussions.Of course, this risk is part of the game: you never know when something might go wrong, resulting in an injury. However, given the large number of precautions you can take in all sports and activities to limit that risk, it\u2019s important to consider the coach\u2019s responsibility to keep players as safe as possible.What Is the Coach\u2019s Role in Preventing Youth Sports Injuries?Coaches are\u00a0required to do the following\u00a0for young athletes:Create a safe environmentUse up-to-date information and instruction methodsUse safe, properly fitting equipmentPlan an appropriate training program and game scheduleMatch athletes by size, experience, and abilityAdequately supervise athletes at all games and practicesShare information with parents and athletes about potential risksTake note of each athlete\u2019s well-being and readiness to playProvide emergency careHow Might a Coach Fail to Protect the Athletes?Let\u2019s look at a few examples. The coach could be held liable if an athlete suffers an injury in situations like these:The coach insists on practicing in a hail storm.The players wear ill-fitting or worn out protective gear.Third-grade athletes play a game against seventh-grade athletes.The coach doesn\u2019t follow a progressive training plan for the athletes.The coach doesn\u2019t offer first aid or call 911 after an accident that causes a potentially serious injury.What Happens If Coaching Negligence Results in Injury?\u201cChris Thompson, a football player for West Seattle (Washington) High School, was paralyzed in a football game when he lowered his head and tackled an opponent, severing his spinal cord. The coach and school district were sued on the grounds that the coach should have warned Chris about the dangers of tackling with his head down. The court ruled in favor of Chris\u2026\u201dThis case occurred in 1975, and represents an extreme example; however, coaches are responsible for the well-being of their athletes, and must take all possible precautions to prevent injury. Even youth sports can be highly dangerous, and it\u2019s the responsibility of academic officials like coaches to protect vulnerable student-athletes.Naturally, coaches want to win games, but their athletes should come first. If you think your child\u2019s coach goes too far by ignoring injuries, asking athletes to play despite their injuries, or insisting upon practicing or playing a game in an unsafe environment, speak to the coach about your concern for the athletes\u2019 safety, and bring the issue to the attention of a supervisor or administrator.As common as youth sports injuries are, you must consider the circumstances in which the injury occurred to determine whether or not a coach\u2019s action or inaction contributed to the injury or its severity. Often, this can be a difficult task; an attorney experienced in student-athlete injuries can review the facts of your case, determine potential liability, and counsel you on the proper course of action.Please contact us\u00a0online\u00a0or call (503) 245-5677 for a free consultation. Coaches are important members of the community and their dedication to players is commendable, but not all coaches are created equal; anyone who causes injury to another person must be held responsible, particularly when the victim is one of our young and vulnerable student-athletes."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Youth Sports Injuries: What Is the Coach\u2019s Responsibility to Keep Players Safe?","item":"https:\/\/www.rizklaw.com\/blog\/youth-sports-injuries-what-is-the-coachs-responsibility-to-keep-players-safe\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]