Chicago Sports Injury Lawyer
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, you may be entitled to compensation. Don’t trust just any injury lawyer to handle your case. Other law firms might claim to have the best sports injury attorneys in Illinois. They might even promise to win big on your behalf. At Ankin Law in Chicago, our 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.
Contact our Chicago sports injury lawyers at (312) 600-0000 to get started with your recovery.
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What Are the Most Common Sports Injuries Caused by Negligence?
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.
Some of the more common sports injuries are:
- Muscle strains and sprained joints, including knees and ankle injuries
- Abrasions and cuts
- Broken bones
- Overexertion injuries
- Head trauma or concussions
- Spinal injuries and paralysis
Many sports injuries are minor, healing on their own within a few days. Some sports-related injuries, like head trauma and spinal injuries, can have long-term, or permanent consequences, however.
When you hire a bad faith insurance attorney with Ankin Law, our team will sit down with you and listen to your story. We will review the terms of your insurance policy and the laws that govern insurers who do business in our state to identify violations that may not be so obvious.
Sports-Related Concussions
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries are common among athletes. Approximately 21% of TBIs are caused by sports and recreations activities. Severe injuries can be caused by direct impact to the head. They can also occur as a result of rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head that might happen during a violent tackle.
Athletes who suffer serious head injuries may not initially realize they are injured. If an athlete does not seek immediate treatment for a head injury, he or she may suffer severe brain damage. Initial signs of head injuries can include:
- Headache or “pressure” in the head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Balance problems, dizziness, or double or blurry vision
- Light or noise sensitivity
- Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
- Confusion or concentration and memory problems
Concussions may leave long-term effects on athletes. Studies of former professional football players have shown that people who experience repeated concussions may exhibit symptoms of neurological complications later in life. Football injury lawyers assert that repetitive head trauma has been linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
When Can You File a Claim for a Sports Injury?
If you or a loved one suffered a sports injury, you may wonder – can athletes sue for injuries? Sports come with inherent risks, and not all injuries are caused by negligence. However, even when athletes assume the known risks of playing sports, they do not automatically waive their right to sue for a sports injury.
Assumption of Risk
Assumption of risk is a legal doctrine that barres people from recovering damages for an injury resulting from an activity where they voluntarily exposed themselves to a known danger. In youth sports, children’s parents often sign a waiver agreeing to assume the risk of any injuries resulting from the sports. In collegiate and professional sports, athletes typically understand the risks associated with the sports they play.
Negligence and Willful and Wanton Conduct
If injured athletes can prove their injury was caused by someone else’s negligence or willful and wanton conduct, they can file a sports injury lawsuit and may be able to recover damages.
Coaches, players, and sports organizations owe a duty of care to their players, employees, and opposing teams. They must use the same level of care that another reasonable person in the same situation would use. If the coaches or sports organization fails to use reasonable care and their negligence results in an injury, the injured athlete can sue.
Situations that may result in injuries due to negligence are:
- Failing to remove an injured player from a game
- Pushing players beyond reasonable limits
- Use of faulty equipment
Willful and wanton conduct is an action that shows an actual or deliberate intention to cause harm. It also applies to conduct that, even if not meant to cause harm, show indifference to or conscious disregard for the safety of others. Some actions may be either negligence or willful and wanton conduct, depending on the circumstances of the case. Willful and wanton conduct that may cause sports injuries include:
- Conduct or behavior outside the normal rules of the sports.
- Failing to remove an injured player from a game.
- Physical Assault
- Pushing players beyond reasonable limits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Injury Lawsuits
What kind of compensation can I recover in a sports injury lawsuit?
Victims who have suffered a sports injury may be able to recover damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. The damages are similar to any personal injury lawsuit. However, proving liability in a sports injury lawsuit is often more difficult than in a simple personal injury case.
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.
How long do I have to sue for a sports injury?
Injured athletes generally have two years from their injury to bring their sports injury lawsuit. Since exceptions may apply to the two-year statute of limitations in your case, you need to gather evidence and consult a sports injury attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
What Our Clients Say About Us
received excellent customer service! Any time I called Karolina K., I was immediately put through to her and in the rare instance she was unavailable, I received a call back the same day. Any time I had a question, she was able to explain things to me and allay my worries. She consulted with and connected me with my attorney when needed. I would definitely work with them again if needed. I highly recommend them!!
