Chicago Sports Injury Lawyer
Every year, more than 775,000 children and teens suffer sports-related injuries so severe that they require emergency medical treatment. Young athletes who participate in contact sports are at high risk for sports injuries.
Did you or your child get hurt while participating in sports in Illinois? If your injuries required medical treatment, or you missed time from work, your case may qualify for compensation. Don’t trust just any injury lawyer to handle your case. At Ankin Law, our experienced Chicago sports injury attorneys won’t waste time advertising what we can do for you. We prove it. Serving Illinois since 1940, our sports injury lawyers have won hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Let us help you WIN.
At Ankin Law, we offer:
- FREE case consultations
- Over 100 years of combined experience
- 24/7 assistance
Contact our Chicago sports injury lawyers at (312) 600-0000 to get started with your recovery.
Table of Contents
When Can You File a Claim for a Sports Injury In Illinois?
You can file a claim for a sports injury when the injury results from another party’s negligence, willful misconduct, or unsafe conditions rather than the inherent risks of the sport. While participants assume risks when engaging in sports, this assumption does not protect others from liability if their actions go beyond acceptable boundaries.
Negligence
Negligence occurs when a party fails to meet the standard of care required to keep participants reasonably safe. Examples include a coach neglecting proper training, facilities failing to maintain safe conditions, or trainers providing inadequate medical attention after an injury. For instance, if a gym knowingly uses faulty equipment or a referee ignores dangerous play, these actions could be considered negligent. To file a claim, you must prove that the negligent party had a duty of care, breached that duty, and directly caused your injury.
Assumption of Risk
Assumption of risk is a legal doctrine often used as a defense in sports injury cases. By participating in a sport, players acknowledge the possibility of injuries inherent to the activity, such as tackling in football or collisions in hockey. However, this assumption applies only to foreseeable risks directly related to the game. It does not shield a party from liability for injuries caused by negligence, unsafe conditions, or intentional misconduct. For example, a player injured due to poorly maintained equipment or an unqualified coach’s improper techniques could argue that these factors go beyond the assumed risks.
Willful or Reckless Conduct
Injuries caused by intentional or reckless behavior are not protected under the assumption of risk. For example, a player deliberately injuring another in an unsportsmanlike manner or a coach knowingly endangering athletes’ health by ignoring safety guidelines can be held liable. Willful misconduct demonstrates a blatant disregard for others’ safety, strengthening the injured party’s claim.
Did a negligent party cause your sports injury? Call a sports injury lawyer at Ankin Law to recover compensation. (312) 600-0000
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Injured by a medical provider? Check out our medical malpractice knowledge center to learn more about medical malpractice cases.
Who Is Liable for Sports Injuries?
Liability for sports injuries depends on the circumstances of the injury, the parties involved, and the nature of the activity. While participants generally assume risks inherent to sports, liability arises when injuries result from negligence, intentional misconduct, or unsafe conditions.
Coaches and Trainers
Coaches and trainers can be held liable if their actions contribute to an injury. This includes failing to provide proper instruction, ignoring safety guidelines, or pushing athletes beyond safe physical limits. For instance, if a coach neglects to teach proper techniques to avoid injuries or disregards signs of player exhaustion, they may be responsible for resulting harm. Similarly, trainers who fail to provide adequate care after an injury or use unsafe treatment methods could also face liability.
Facilities and Event Organizers
Owners and operators of sports facilities are responsible for maintaining a safe environment. They can be liable for injuries caused by hazards such as defective equipment, poorly maintained fields, or inadequate safety protocols. Event organizers must ensure participants and spectators are protected through proper supervision, safe equipment, and adherence to regulations. Failure to meet these obligations could result in liability for injuries that occur during their events.
Manufacturers of Equipment
Defective or poorly designed sports equipment can lead to injuries, making manufacturers liable under product liability laws. For example, helmets that fail to provide adequate protection or equipment that malfunctions during use could place the responsibility on the manufacturer or distributor.
Other Players
Fellow participants may be liable if their actions go beyond the acceptable risks of the sport. For example, a player intentionally causing harm or engaging in reckless behavior outside the scope of normal play could face legal consequences. However, accidental injuries within the rules of the game typically do not lead to liability.
Schools and Organizations
Schools, clubs, and sports organizations overseeing activities can share liability if they fail to provide proper oversight, enforce safety rules, or address known risks. This includes ensuring staff are properly trained and equipment is safe for use.
Determining liability requires examining the case, including who had a duty of care and whether their actions or omissions directly caused the injury. A sports injury lawyer can help evaluate these factors to identify the responsible parties.
How Much Is My Sports Injury Claim Worth?
The value of a sports injury claim depends on the injury, its long-term impact, and the circumstances leading to the incident. Settlements typically include compensation for economic damages, non-economic damages, and in some cases, punitive damages.
The severity and permanence of the injury are critical factors in determining a settlement. Lifelong disabilities or chronic pain increase compensation. The degree of negligence or willful misconduct involved also plays a role, as stronger evidence of liability can boost the claim’s value. The amount of damages you incurred will make up the majority of your settlement.
Economic Damages
Economic damages account for measurable financial losses resulting from the injury. These include medical expenses such as emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. Severe injuries, like spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injuries, often require long-term or even lifetime medical support, significantly increasing claim value. Lost wages during recovery and diminished earning capacity, if the injury impacts future employment, are also major components of economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the intangible effects of the injury, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. For example, an athlete who can no longer participate in their sport or engage in favorite activities may claim compensation for the emotional toll of their limitations. These damages are more subjective and can vary widely depending on the injury’s severity and its impact on the claimant’s quality of life.
Punitive Damages
If the injury resulted from gross negligence or intentional misconduct—such as an assault during a game or a coach willfully ignoring safety protocols—punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are designed to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior, though they are less common than economic or non-economic damages.
Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney at our law firm is crucial. We will evaluate your case, calculate damages, and fight for a fair settlement that covers both immediate and long-term losses.
What Are the Most Common Sports Injuries Caused by Negligence?
Sports injuries caused by negligence often occur when safety guidelines are ignored, equipment is faulty, or proper supervision is lacking. Negligence can arise from coaches, trainers, facility operators, or other players, leading to preventable injuries that affect athletes of all levels.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Concussions and other TBIs are common in contact sports like football, hockey, and soccer. Negligence, such as allowing players to return to the game without proper medical clearance or failing to provide adequate protective gear, can exacerbate these injuries. Poorly maintained playing surfaces can also contribute to head injuries from falls.
Sprains and Strains
These injuries often result from improper warm-ups, overtraining, or inadequate supervision. Negligence by coaches or trainers in designing training routines that exceed safe physical limits can increase the risk. Facilities that fail to provide safe, well-maintained equipment also contribute to these injuries.
Fractures
Broken bones frequently occur in high-impact sports, especially when safety protocols are not enforced. Examples include failure to ensure athletes wear proper padding or helmets, or neglecting to address hazardous conditions like wet surfaces or uneven fields. Faulty equipment, such as defective bats or improperly maintained gym apparatus, can also lead to fractures.
Knee Injuries
Torn ligaments, such as ACL or MCL injuries, are common in sports requiring rapid directional changes, like basketball or soccer. Negligence often involves poor field maintenance, lack of conditioning programs, or failure to address unsafe playing techniques during training or games.
Overuse Injuries
Overuse injuries, like stress fractures, tendinitis, or shin splints, occur when athletes are pushed beyond their physical limits. Coaches or trainers who neglect proper rest periods or fail to monitor an athlete’s condition contribute to these injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Severe spinal injuries, though less common, can result from improper tackling techniques, unsafe gym equipment, or poor supervision. These injuries are often linked to negligence, such as failing to enforce safety rules or providing inadequate training.
When negligence contributes to a sports injury, victims may have legal grounds to seek compensation for medical costs, lost opportunities, and emotional distress.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Injury Claims
How long do I have to sue for a sports injury?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for filing a sports injury claim typically depends on the nature of the claim. For personal injury cases, including sports injuries caused by negligence, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If the claim involves a minor, the statute of limitations may be extended until two years after the minor turns 18. Cases against government entities, such as injuries at public schools, often have shorter deadlines and require formal notice within one year. Consulting an attorney promptly ensures compliance with these time limits.
What evidence do I need for a sports injury lawsuit?
Athletes who have suffered a sports injury need to show evidence of liability for the injury and of their damages. You can provide recordings or pictures of the sporting event or eyewitness statements to prove liability. A sports injury lawyer can help victims collect evidence from witnesses.
Do professional sports injuries qualify for workers’ compensation?
Professional sports injuries may qualify for workers’ compensation in Illinois if professional athletes are considered employees of their teams. If an injury occurs during a game, practice, or other work-related activity, the athlete may be eligible for benefits. However, these cases can be complex due to collective bargaining agreements and contracts unique to professional sports that may render a player ineligible for benefits. Consulting an attorney experienced in workers’ compensation and sports law is crucial for navigating these claims.
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