When Do You Need a Sports Injury Lawyer?
Sports injuries are injuries that are sustained when an individual participates in a sporting event. These injuries may be categorized as being caused by a traumatic impact or by the overuse of a particular body part.
Amateur sports are organized sports that usually involve individuals with low to medium skill levels. These types of sports are typically funded or sponsored by an organization and, in some situations, involve compensation between the participants.
Amateur sports may include team sports, such as:
- Basketball
- Baseball;
- Soccer;
- Hockey; or
- Football.
They may also include competitive individual sports, such as karate or boxing. Amateur sports injuries are a large portion of sports injuries that occur as well as a large portion of sports injury related legal claims.
The majority of sports injury claims include traumatic injuries as opposed to overuse injuries. This is because an individual cannot expect to hold another individual liable for injuries that occur as a result of overexertion over time.
If, however, a participant causes injury to another participant, it may be the basis for a civil lawsuit. Sports law governs legal issues in both amateur and professional sports.
Examples of common sports injuries include, but may not be limited to:
- Broken bones;
- Head injuries;
- Concussions;
- Hip flexor strains;
- Hamstring strains;
- ACL strains and/or tears;
- Pulled muscles, especially groin pulls;
- Shin splints;
- Sciatica;
- Tennis or golf elbow, which results from the overuse of forearm tendons; and
- Shoulder and knee injuries.
It is important for an individual to be aware that the assumption of risk doctrine may serve as a defense in these types of cases. This means that the participant voluntarily participated in a sporting activity and, therefore, cannot hold other individuals liable for their injuries that occurred during a game or participation in the sport.
In order to use this defense, a defendant is required to show that the plaintiff voluntarily accepted the risk. If an individual has been injured during a sporting event of any type, they should consult with an attorney to determine if they have a claim.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Sports Injury Lawyer in the U.S.?
How much it costs to hire a sports injury lawyer in the United States will depend on many factors, including:
- The fee structure that the attorney uses;
- The location where they lawyer practices law;
- The amount of experience they lawyer has; and
- The complexity and potential duration of the sports injury case.
In the United States, a lawyer will often charge between $100 and $400 dollars per hour if they use an hourly rate fee to charge for their services. In many cases, however, lawyers will handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means the individual does not pay unless they win their case and the lawyer takes a portion of their award.
What to Look For in a Sports Injury Lawyer?
When an individual is looking for a sports injury lawyer, they should seek someone with whom they are comfortable working and whose fees fit in their budget. In addition an individual should consider:
- Whether the lawyer holds the proper license in the jurisdiction;
- How long they have been practicing law;
- What type of fee structure they use;
- Their record for winning similar cases; and
- Whether they have faced any disciplinary actions.
How to Prepare for Your Consultation With a Sports Injury Lawyer?
Before an individual’s consultation with a sports injury lawyer, they should prepare by gathering documents and writing down any questions or concerns they have. If a defendant is found liable in this type of case, they may be required to pay the plaintiff for their:
- Medical and hospital bills;
- Lost wages or lost earning capacity;
- Physical therapy costs; and
- Funeral costs in wrongful death lawsuits.
Because of this, an individual should gather documents related to any of these issues as well as any others they believe may be related to their case.
Where to Find the Best Sports Injury Lawyers in the U.S.?
If you have been injured while playing sports, a personal injury lawyer can help determine whether or not you have a case against the individual responsible for your injuries. Your lawyer can advise you of the best path forward for your case as well as what damages you may receive.
LegalMatch is an excellent place to begin your search for a lawyer. You can post your case for free and receive responses from lawyers within about 24 hours who are ready to start on your case.
