Sports Injury Claims

When can I make a sports accident claim?

You can make a sports accident claim if your injury was caused by the negligence of another party. This could be the owner of a sports facility, another player, a coach or a spectator.

To be eligible to make a compensation claim of this kind you need to prove the following:

• You were owed a duty of care by another party.
• The other party failed in their duty of care.
• You suffered an injury as a result.

Our personal injury solicitors will help you to prove that this is the case if you make a claim with us. You normally need to make a sports accident claim within three years of the injury happening.

Can I make a no win no fee sports accident compensation claim?

Yes, if you make a sports accident compensation claim with Beacon Law we’ll work on a no win no fee basis. This means the following:

• You pay nothing up-front.
• You pay nothing as we investigate your claim, gather evidence, and negotiate with the other party.
• We only take a fee if your claim is successful.
• Our success fee is never more than 25% of the compensation you receive.

If you lose your claim the costs of the other party are covered by insurance we take out for you.

We work in this way so that you can make a sports accident compensation claim if you’ve been treated negligently, without worrying about costs.

How much compensation could I get for a sports accident claim?

The amount of compensation you could get for a sports accident claim will vary depending upon the nature and severity of your injury. You might get a few thousand pounds for a minor injury with a quick recovery, and hundreds of thousands for an injury which is permanent and life-changing.

The amount of compensation awarded for a sports accident claim will reflect the following:

• Where you were injured.
• How severe the injury is.
• The amount of pain and distress caused by the injury.
• The psychological impact of the injury.
• How much treatment the injury needs and may need in the future.
• Whether you are expected to make a full recovery.
• How long the recovery might take.
• How much the injury stops you from doing things like enjoying hobbies and a social life.
• The financial impact of the injury.

The final compensation amount will be made up of general damages and special damages.

What are general damages in a sports accident compensation claim?

General damages in a sports accident compensation claim are intended to reflect the injury. The amount will be based on the pain and suffering caused, as well as any loss of amenity.

The figure will be reached with the help of the Judicial College Guidelines. This specialist legal publication provides guide payment ranges for specific injuries.

Examples from the latest edition that could apply to sports injuries compensation include the following:

• Multiple fractures of facial bones – £18,180 to £29,220
• Severe fractures to fingers – up to £44,840
• Serious fractures of one or both forearms – £47,810 to £73,050
• Loss or damage to two front teeth – £3,710 to £6,510

What are special damages in a sports accident compensation claim?

Special damages in a sports accident compensation claim are intended to reflect the financial impact of the injury. The payment is intended to return you to the financial position you would have been in if the sports injury had never happened.

Special damages will include an amount to cover any earnings lost because of your injury. They will also cover direct expenses such as:

• Money spent on any medical treatment for your injury, now and in the future.
• Money spent on any care needed because of your injury, now and in the future.
• Money spent on specialist equipment needed to live with the impact of your injury.
• Money spent on adapting your home or vehicle as a result of your injury.
• Money spent travelling to and from medical appointments relating to your injury.
• Compensation for any time friends or family members have to spend caring for you.
• Money spent on counselling or therapy to deal with the psychological impact of your injury.

Once our personal injury solicitors have a full grasp of the extent and impact of your injury they will be able to estimate how much compensation you could receive.

What evidence will I need for a sports accident compensation claim?

The evidence needed for a sports accident compensation claim will include the following:

• A detailed statement from you explaining how you were injured and the impact the injury has had.
• Any official account of the sports accident in the accident book of the relevant sporting venue.
• Photographs and/or video evidence of the location of the sports accident and the factors you feel were to blame.
• Photographs of your injuries following the sports accident.
• Any reports made by emergency service personnel attending the scene of the accident.
• Any available CCTV footage of the accident.
• Statements taken from any witnesses to the accident.
• Your medical records, especially those relating to the sports accident and its aftermath.
• A report based on a medical evaluation carried out by an independent expert hired by Beacon Law.
• Paperwork documenting the financial impact of your injury, such as wage slips, bank statements and receipts for direct expenses.

Although it helps if you can gather evidence immediately following a sports accident, the expert solicitors at Beacon Law will be able to track down any you aren’t able to provide. The evidence will be intended to demonstrate the following facts:

• Your sports accident was caused by negligence.
• You suffered an injury as a direct result of the accident.
• The nature, extent and effect of your injury.
• Any financial impact the injury has had.

How long will my sports accident compensation claim take?

The length of time it takes to resolve your sports accident compensation claim depends on the nature of the case. If liability is clear and the injuries fairly minor it could take nine to twelve months.

If the other party denies liability or refuses to offer a fair settlement it could take two years or longer. Complex medical requirements could also delay settlement.

In all cases we’ll keep you fully updated with our estimate of the likely time-frame. Where possible, we’ll apply for interim payments to cover your expenses until a final settlement is agreed.

What kind of injuries commonly happen because of sports accidents?

Common injuries forming the basis of sports accident compensation claims include the following:

• Broken and fractured bones.
• Torn ligaments, whiplash and other soft tissue injuries.
• Nerve damage.
• Crush injuries.
• Broken or missing teeth.
• Brain and spinal injuries.

The nature of some sports – particularly contact sports like rugby and football – means that accidents can cause a wide range of injuries. This is also true of sports such as horse riding, cycling and winter sports.

Whether your injuries are minor or serious, proving negligence in a sports accident compensation claim is a complex process. Injuries which arise as a result of normal sporting practices, however serious, will not normally be eligible for a sports accident compensation claim.

Our personal injury solicitors will be able to judge whether yours is a ‘normal’ sporting injury, or one which you could have expected to be protected from.

Can I make a sports accident compensation claim because of an unsafe playing surface?

Yes, you might be able to make a sports accident compensation claim because of an unsafe playing surface or other hazards in and around a venue. Claims of this kind could include slips, trips and falls caused by poor lighting or damaged flooring. You could also claim if a playing surface is too badly damaged, worn or hard to be used safely.

Can I make a sports accident claim because of poor supervision?

Yes, you might be able to make a sports accident compensation claim because of poor supervision. If an individual such as a personal trainer, referee, umpire or gym instructor gives bad advice or fails to spot a hazard, for example.

Can I make a sports accident compensation claim if I’m injured by another player?

Yes, you might be able to make a sports accident compensation claim if you are injured by another player. Although injuries are always a risk, you may be able to claim compensation if the injury involved dangerous conduct or reckless behaviour.

Can I make a sports accident compensation claim if I’m injured by faulty equipment?

Yes, you might be able to make a sports accident compensation claim if you are injured due to faulty equipment. If the fastening of a ski fails, for example, and you fall and break a leg as a result, then you could claim for your injuries.

In this case, the claim could be made against the manufacturer of the ski, or the company hiring the skis out.

Can I make a sports accident compensation claim for assault?

You might be able to make a sports accident compensation claim if you are assaulted by another player or a spectator. In cases of assault you may be able to claim compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

You could also claim against the organisers of a sporting event if they negligently failed to control spectators or competitors.

Can I make a sports injury compensation claim because of poor weather conditions?

Yes, you might be able to make a sports injury compensation claim if you were injured while playing a sport in unsuitable weather conditions. You would have to show that the organisers of the sporting event should have known the weather was too poor for it to go ahead.

Examples could include injuries or illness caused by extreme cold or heat, or slips, trips or falls caused by ice or wet conditions.

If you’ve been injured during any kind of sporting activity and think the injury was caused by negligence, contact the personal injury solicitors at Beacon Law. We’ll explain whether we think you have the grounds to claim compensation and what the legal process involves.

Can I claim compensation after being injured as a spectator at a sporting event?

Yes, you might be able to claim compensation if you are injured as a spectator at a sporting event. The venue hosting the event has the same duty of care to spectators as they do to participants.

If you have an accident because a venue or sporting facility isn’t safe then you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Can I claim compensation if I’m injured while acting as a referee or other official at a sporting event?

Yes, you might be able to claim compensation if you are injured while acting as a referee or official at a sporting event. If you are injured by a player taking part or a spectator you may be eligible to claim compensation for assault.

Speak to our personal injury solicitors to find out whether you could claim through CICA, or against the organisation with a duty of care.

I signed a waiver – can I still make a sports accident compensation claim?

Yes, you might still be able to make a sports accident compensation claim even after signing a waiver. Any waiver is based on the organisation in question taking all reasonable steps to keep you safe.

If they fail to take these reasonable steps and you are injured as a result then you could still claim compensation on the basis of negligence.

What is the time limit on making a sports accident compensation claim?

As stated in The Limitation Act 1980, there is a time limit of three years, after which you can’t make a sports accident compensation claim. The time limit runs from the date of the accident itself.

This limit applies to all personal injury claims, although there are a few exceptions:

• If you lack the mental capacity to make a claim during the three year period then the limit will run from the date on which you regain capacity.
• If you are under eighteen at the time of the sports accident then the time limit will date from your 18th birthday to your 21st.
• It is possible to act as a litigation friend and claim on behalf of someone who is under 18 or lacks the mental capacity to make their own claim.

You can also claim on behalf of a loved one who sadly dies as the result of a sports accident. A sports accident compensation claim of this kind will have to start within three years of the date of death.

Although the three year limit is in place, our personal injury solicitors recommend starting any sports accident compensation claim as soon as possible after the accident itself.

Who will I be making a sports accident compensation claim against?

Your sports accident compensation claim will be made against the insurance company of whatever organisation had a duty of care at the time of your accident. Anyone organising and staging sports events, running a sporting venue or providing sporting equipment has a legal duty to carry insurance of this kind.

The organisation involved in your sports accident compensation claim could be any of the following:

• The venue or sporting arena at which the sports accident happened.
• The organisation which was responsible for staging a specific sporting event.
• A sporting league or association you are registered with.
• A private gym.
• A club or team that you play for.
• A school.
• The local council.

Organisations of this kind have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to keep participants and spectators safe. Any failure in this duty of care could form the basis of a sports accident compensation claim.

Why should I make my sports accident compensation claim with Beacon Law?

You should make your sports accident compensation claim with Beacon Law because we specialise in personal injury claims against organisations like sports clubs, businesses and local councils. We understand the law around public liability and what it takes to prove negligence.

We have more than 200 years’ worth of combined legal experience to draw from. This means we can settle the majority of claims, no matter how complex, without going to court.

We know how stressful sports injuries can be, especially if they stop you earning a living. As well as fighting for compensation we can support you to reach out for treatment and any available support networks.

We work on a no win no fee basis. This means you don’t have to worry about costs or ever being out of pocket.

We won’t take our fee until you’ve got the compensation you’re entitled to, and it will never be more than 25%. If you’ve been injured in a sports accident, contact us today.

If we think it sounds like a case of negligence we’ll get to work winning 100% of the compensation you’re entitled to.