Were you or your child injured playing soccer or football in British Columbia? If someone else’s actions or inactions played a role in the incident, they could be legally responsible (liable) for what happened. Here’s what you need to know about liability for sports injuries under BC law.
Most Common Soccer and Football Injuries
Athletes who play contact sports like soccer and football face a higher risk of injury because the games are fast-paced and often involve collisions with other players, balls, or the ground. Additionally, younger soccer players and football players may not always report pain right away, which can lead to worse outcomes.
Coaches and adults should watch for signs of these common injuries in football and soccer:
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries
- Tendon injuries
- Dislocated joints
- Ankle sprains
- Muscle strains
- Cuts and bruises
- Dental injuries
- Neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Eye injuries
- Overuse injuries
When Liability May Apply in a Soccer or Football Injury
Most football and soccer injuries don’t lead to legal claims. But if someone’s negligence contributes to a serious injury, that party may be liable for the harm caused. The at-fault party could be an individual or an entity, such as:
- A coach, if they ignored concussion symptoms and returned an athlete to play
- A facility, if it failed to fix a known hazard on the field or playing surface
- An opponent, if they acted to harm
- League organizers and property owners, if their failure to follow safety rules or provide proper supervision causes an injury
Your ability to file a personal injury claim for a football or soccer injury will depend on the specifics of the case. A lawyer can review what happened, look for supporting evidence while determining liability, and explain whether a claim makes sense in your situation.
Injuries Involving Youth and School Sports
Liability for sports injuries that occur during school or recreational sports depends on how the injury happened and whether the responsible adults failed to protect the child from preventable harm.
Teachers, coaches, and school staff must follow safety protocols, inspect equipment, and respond quickly to injuries. If a child gets hurt because of poor supervision, unsafe facilities, or reckless behaviour by another player, one or more of these parties may be liable.
Even if you signed a waiver, you could still have a legal claim. Waivers may limit a claim in British Columbia court, but not completely excuse a youth organization or school from gross negligence or willful misconduct. The real question is whether the school or organization acted reasonably under the circumstances.
What to Do After a Soccer or Football Injury in BC
It’s important to act quickly after a soccer or football injury in BC. Here’s what you should do to protect your health and your legal rights:
- Seek immediate medical attention and follow the doctor’s orders.
- Report the injury to the appropriate party and request a copy of the incident report for your records.
- Take photos of the injury and the area where it happened.
- Keep any protective gear, such as shin guards and the shoes worn on the day of the accident. Don’t wash them.
- Keep receipts for any medical or therapy costs not covered by MSP.
- Find out if any sport or accident insurance applies to your case.
- Avoid signing insurance forms without seeking guidance from an experienced lawyer.
- Discuss your options for filing a legal claim with a British Columbia personal injury lawyer.
How a British Columbia Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
A soccer or football injury can lead to more than just medical care. It can mean missed time at work, out-of-pocket treatment expenses, pain, and permanent disability. Getting straight answers can be challenging on your own. That’s where an experienced personal injury lawyer can step in. Your lawyer can investigate what happened, identify whether you have a valid claim, and help you fight for full and fair compensation.
At Warnett Hallen LLP, we help people across British Columbia seek the money they deserve after preventable sports injuries. If you believe someone else may be liable for the harm you or your child suffered, contact us today to speak with a member of our team and arrange a free consultation.
