Massachusetts Sports Accident Lawyer
Compensation for Injuries Suffered in Sports or Recreational Activities
While waivers of liability make it difficult to recover damages for most injuries suffered in team sports, if you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.
For example, if you hurt your ankle sliding into second base, there’s probably no cause of action. However, if you get badly cut by broken glass in center field, you may have a claim against the owner of the ballpark.
The law firm of Peter Ventura has over 25 years of experience with the investigation of sports & recreational accident claims to see whether a property owner, an equipment manufacturer or another negligent party can be held accountable for your injuries. Contact us for a free consultation about your potential damages claims.
Do You Have the Right to Collect Damages?
There’s a fairly simple rule of thumb to determine whether the injured party in a sports or recreation setting has a right to collect damages from someone else: If the injury was caused by risks inherent in the activity, you may not have a right to compensation. On the other hand, if the injury was caused at least in part by the negligence of someone else, you should be entitled to damages.
Sports and Recreation Accidents We Represent
Our law firm investigates a wide variety of sports and recreation accidents to see whether our client has a viable claim, including:
- Boating accidents
- Swimming or diving injuries at public and private pools
- Horseback riding accidents
- Skiing and skating accidents
- ATV and dirt bike accidents
- Playground accidents
- Athletic facilities accidents and injuries
- Cheerleading injuries
- Amusement park ride accidents
Boating accidents
Many people underestimate the damage boats and other watercraft can inflict. In some cases, a boat operator’s negligence can lead to severe injury for the boat’s occupants. We will help you determine whether you have a case against the boat operator or another party following injury on the water.
Swimming or diving injuries at public or private pool
The owners of both private and public swimming pools are required to take certain precautions in order to keep people safe in and around the pool. When the owners of these pools don’t do what they need to do to prevent accidents, injuries can result. Contact us to find out if you are entitled to compensation.
Horseback riding accidents
Horseback riding always poses a risk of accidents. However, when horseback riding accidents occur because the owner of the horse or the facility was negligent, the injured party may be able to file a successful lawsuit. We can help you determine whether your injury was the direct result of negligence so that you can hold the proper party responsible.
Skiing or skating accidents
Most skiing and skating accidents occur when individuals collide, when ski area operators or skating rink owners are negligent or when equipment malfunctions. Depending on the situation, these injuries can be severe. Let us help you determine who is responsible for your injuries.
ATV or dirt bike accidents
In many cases, ATV and dirt bike accidents don’t result in liability claims. However, if you or a loved one was injured on an ATV driven by someone else, because of unsafe property conditions, because of manufacturing defects or because of contact with another vehicle, you may be able to recover compensation.
Playground injuries
Playground injuries often occur because of unsafe equipment, poor supervision or an unsafe environment around playground equipment. When any of these situations contribute to an injury, the owner/operator of the playground may be held financially responsible. Contact us to find out what you can do to recover compensation after a playground injury.
Athletic facilities accidents
Many accidents that occur in athletic facilities could have been prevented. Unfortunately, malfunctioning equipment, poor maintenance and environment hazards are often ignored by the owners of these facilities, which leads to serious injuries for patrons. If you have been a victim of a preventable accident at an athletic facility, contact us to learn about your options.
Cheerleading injuries
Cheerleading is a high-intensity sport that can lead to various injuries, including sprains, strains, broken bones, dislocations, muscle injuries and more. In many cases, these injuries occur because of poor training, inexperienced coaches, unsafe cheerleading environments or dangerous stunts that are performed without the proper precautions. If negligence plays a role in a cheerleading accident, the injured party may be able to bring a lawsuit against the party responsible.
Amusement park ride accidents
Amusement Park Rides are designed to provide an enjoyable experience in a safe environment. Unfortunately, poor ride construction, improper maintenance, inaccurate rider guidelines or poor enforcement of amusement park rules can lead to accidents and injuries. Victims of amusement park accidents may be entitled to compensation from the park.
There were 1,150 injuries at amusement parks in 2014, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. 5% of those injured suffered “serious” injuries that required at least one overnight stay in the hospital. The risk of injury is even higher at temporary carnival sites. Although the U.S. Consumer Product Commission regulates how portable rides are manufactured, how each ride is set up, maintained, or operated depends on state regulations. These regulations can vary wildly, from very strict to none at all.
The Most Common Sports Injuries
People who are active take on a certain level of risk when they participate in the sports they love the most. While injuries are certainly not always the fault of the individual, it can be helpful to know which injuries are more likely to occur than others. Depending on the circumstances, it may also fall under Premises Liability. This may help people stay safe and live the active lifestyle that they enjoy.
Sprains and Strains
Some people may assume that unless you have a broken bone the injury is not that serious. However, sprains and strains are not only the most common sports injuries, but can also have the worst impact on the body. The difference between sprains and strains are the following:
- Sprains are damages to the tendons or ligaments that are stretched beyond capacity
- Strains are “pulling a muscle” that has been stretched and used over its limit
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries are certainly among the most common sports injuries. The most common issues with knee injuries are typically associated with tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This is a serious injury as it can impact whether or not a person can continue to play a sport and it can also impact their body for the rest of their lives. Typically, knee injuries occur by impact, twisting, overextending, or simply stopping too abruptly.
Tennis Elbow
While many people associate Tennis Elbow with only tennis players, this is not always the case. The term actually refers to elbow pain that is brought on by overuse or subtle injury to the muscle areas located in the arm. Without proper therapy and treatment, this injury can cause more serious problems that can impact an athlete for the rest of their life.
Protect Yourself
The above injuries are all too common and there are certain precautions a person can take to avoid them. Effective stretching and understanding limitations are definitely good practices. If you begin to feel aches or pains, it is important to see a doctor right away. Sports injuries can get serious quickly and the more quickly you determine the issue, the faster you can remedy the problem.
When you should contact a sports injury lawyer
We know how to evaluate and investigate recreational injuries under legal theories of premises liability, negligent supervision, product liability or other causes. We also work closely with our clients and their doctors to make sure that injuries are correctly diagnosed, treated and documented for eventual payment by the defendant or its insurer.
Learn more about your rights in the aftermath of a serious injury. To discuss your case with an experienced Massachusetts recreational accident lawyer, contact us at the law firm of Peter Ventura, Attorney at Law, in Worcester for a free consultation.
