Sports are a great way of keeping healthy and having fun, but they can often result in painful injuries. If an accident was caused by faulty equipment or inadequate facilities, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. This could make the recovery process easier, which could help get you back on your feet and ready to play again.
Types of sporting injuries
Sporting injuries account for up to two per cent of A&E visits in the UK, according to the Health and Social Care Information Centre. However, many patients are not asked about the reason for their injury, so the real figure may be much higher.
The types of injuries you can sustain from sporting accidents can vary depending on the specific type of sport being played. Poorly-maintained equipment or facilities can cause injuries ranging in severity from a cut from slipping on an uneven surface to those caused by falls or broken equipment. Some of the most common include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Concussions
- Torn ligaments
- Sprains
- Brain injuries
- Bruising
- Lacerations
- Joint dislocations
Can you make a claim for a sporting injury?
Injuries do happen when playing sports, but if you suffered one as a result of the negligence of someone else or an organisation, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. This could be down to the fact you were using broken or unfit-for-purpose equipment, for example.
If you think you have a compensation claim for a sporting injury, you will have to prove that the incident was not your fault. In addition, you’ll have to show that the accident did not occur following a legal tackle during a combat sport, for example, when playing rugby or practicing martial arts.
The location of the accident does not have a bearing on whether you can make a claim, so it may be possible to proceed whether it happened at a leisure centre, a school, on private property or on land owned by the government or local authority.
To give you the best chance of success when making a claim for a sporting injury, make sure you collect as much information as possible about the incident. You should also ensure the accident is being recorded at the time in a logbook by a member of staff. Any photographs of the area where the accident occurred, as well as the names and contact details of any witnesses could also help.
How much compensation can you claim for a sporting injury?
A sporting accident could see you significantly injured, resulting in the need to take time off work and undergo medical treatment. These factors will be taken into consideration during the claims process to determine how much compensation you could be able to claim. Some of our previous cases could help you establish how much you may receive.
- We helped a client receive £25,000 in compensation when he fell down a flight of stairs at a leisure centre, suffering a skull fracture.
- Another of our clients suffered back and leg injuries during a bungy run accident. With our assistance, he obtained £5,000 in compensation.
When to start the claims process?
After you’ve suffered a sporting injury, you may have countless concerns and things to think about. However, this is the perfect time to begin the process of making a claim as you can more easily remember the events.
It may still be possible to pursue a claim for a sporting accident up to three years after it occurred, though. If you have any uncertainty about when you should begin the process of making a compensation claim, give our expert team a call. You’ll be under no obligation to proceed and we could help clarify the situation for you.
Why choose Hayward Baker?
When you’re pursuing a claim for compensation after a sporting injury, you’ll need a solicitor with the right level of experience. The Hayward Baker team has this in abundance, having helped numerous clients already.
This has helped us understand the importance of communication. We won’t use legal jargon when we discuss your case – instead, you can expect us to speak in plain English. We want to make sure you understand every element of the process so we will keep you updated about all your case’s developments.
Your case handler will also treat you as an individual, as we know you are more than just another case. They’ll be available for contact and will make sure you feel comfortable about the process.
Contact us for a free first consultation
If you think you may have a claim for a sporting injury, get in touch with one of our team today and arrange a free no obligation consultation.
