Sports Injury Attorneys: Protecting Athletes' Rights On and Off the Field

From professional athletes to weekend warriors, sports injuries are an unfortunate reality. 

Whether it’s a sprained ankle during a pickup basketball game or a career-ending concussion in the NFL, injuries can lead to medical bills, lost wages from missed work, and even long-term disabilities. 

In some cases, these injuries result from negligence—whether by another player, a coach, a school, a sports league, or a manufacturer of defective equipment. When that happens, a sports injury attorney can help victims seek the compensation they deserve to cover their damages.

Morgan & Morgan has fought For the People for over 35 years and has recovered over $25 billion in the process. If you suffered a sports injury due to negligence, contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.

What to Do Right After a Sports-Related Accident

If you’ve been injured in a sports-related accident, taking the right steps can protect both your health and your legal rights. Here’s what you should do:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Even if your injury seems minor, it’s crucial to get checked out by a medical professional. Some injuries, like concussions or ligament tears, may not show symptoms right away.

2. Report the Injury

If it happened at a school or university, inform your coach, trainer, or school administrator. If it was in a professional or organized league, notify your team’s medical staff and file an incident report. If it was at a gym or public sports facility, report it to the facility manager.

3. Document Everything

Take photos of the injury and the location where it happened. Keep copies of medical records, treatment plans, and prescriptions. Write down witness statements and gather their contact information.

4. Avoid Admitting Fault

If the injury was due to another player’s reckless behavior, faulty equipment, or unsafe conditions, be careful about what you say. Admitting fault or saying “it’s fine” could hurt a potential legal case.

5. Follow Medical Advice

Stick to your doctor’s recommendations, attend all follow-ups, and complete physical therapy if prescribed. This not only helps recovery but also strengthens a potential legal claim.

6. Preserve Evidence

If equipment failure caused your injury, keep the damaged gear. If unsafe conditions (like a poorly maintained field) contributed to your injury, document them.

7. Contact a Sports Injury Attorney

If negligence played a role in your injury—whether by a coach, school, league, or equipment manufacturer—you may be entitled to compensation. A sports injury attorney can help you understand your rights and take legal action if needed.

8. Avoid Posting on Social Media

Insurance companies and opposing legal teams may use social media posts against you. Avoid discussing your injury online until your case is resolved.

What Can Cause Sports Injuries?

Sports injuries can arise from various scenarios, some of which may warrant legal action. Common causes include:

Negligence by Coaches or Trainers

Sometimes team leadership can lead players in the wrong direction, causing athletes harm. Inadequate supervision during games or practice, overworking athletes without proper rest, and failure to recognize or address injuries can all lead to serious sports injuries.

Defective Equipment

Faulty helmets, pads, or other protective gear can leave athletes susceptible to injuries, as well as malfunctioning exercise machines and poorly maintained playing surfaces.

Reckless or Intentional Conduct by Other Players

Excessively aggressive behavior beyond normal gameplay—or even fighting or unsportsmanlike conduct—can turn normal play into needless injuries.

Unsafe Playing Conditions

Lack of proper safety measures in training facilities, as well as poorly maintained fields, courts, or stadiums, can put players in harm’s way.

Inadequate Medical Care

For physical sports, the right care should be close by in case of an accident. Delayed treatment can worsen a condition, and poorly trained health staff can lead to a misdiagnosis of concussions or other serious injuries. 

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Sports Injury?

Depending on the circumstances, several parties may be responsible for a sports-related injury, including:

• Schools and Universities: If a student-athlete is injured due to inadequate safety protocols or improper coaching, the school may be liable.
• Leagues and Sports Organizations: If a professional or amateur league fails to implement proper safety measures, they could be held accountable.
• Manufacturers: Companies that produce defective sporting equipment may be responsible for injuries caused by their products.
• Medical Professionals: If a sports physician fails to diagnose or properly treat an injury, they could face a malpractice claim.

Legal Claims Related to Sports Injuries

If an injury results from negligence or wrongful conduct, legal claims may include:

Personal Injury Lawsuits

An athlete may file a personal injury lawsuit if another party’s negligence caused their harm. This could include a reckless opponent or a school that ignored safety protocols.

Product Liability Claims

When defective sports equipment contributes to an injury, victims can file a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer.

Premises Liability Claims

If a dangerous playing surface or poorly maintained facility leads to injury, the property owner may be held accountable.

Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

Athletes who receive inadequate medical care can sue doctors or trainers for medical malpractice.

What Compensation Can I Recover for Sports Injuries?

You may be able to recover compensation for economic, noneconomic, and punitive damages due to sports injuries. Economic damages are those with a specific amount tied to them, while noneconomic damages do not have a price attached.

Economic Damages

When you suffer a sports injury, you will probably have medical costs. These and other types of costs are recoverable. Economic damages include:

• Medical costs already incurred as a result of the sports injury
• Medical costs that you may incur in the future that are related to the sports injury
• Lost wages
• Future lost wages in the event that the injury prevents you from working for the long term or permanently

If you have an underlying condition that may make your sports injury heal more slowly, let your attorney know so that they may better estimate future medical costs. 

Noneconomic Damages

General, or noneconomic, damages are usually awarded if your injuries cause long-term or permanent issues and may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship if you no longer can do things with your spouse
• Loss of consortium if you no longer can have a sexual relationship with your spouse
• Loss of use of a limb
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive Damages

You will be awarded punitive damages only if you are able to show that the defendant acted in a grossly negligent manner or intentionally made you do something knowing it could cause injury or death. Punitive damages are used as a punishment and/or deterrent in civil cases.

Special Considerations for Student-Athletes and Professionals

Student-Athletes and Schools

Schools and universities have a legal duty to provide safe playing environments. If a school fails to protect its athletes—whether through poor training, inadequate medical attention, or unsafe facilities—it may be liable.

Professional Athletes and Workers’ Compensation

Many professional athletes are covered under workers’ compensation laws, allowing them to receive benefits for work-related injuries. However, filing a claim can be complex, requiring legal expertise to ensure proper compensation.

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Sports injuries can have serious physical, financial, and emotional consequences. While some injuries are simply part of the game, others result from negligence or faulty equipment—cases where legal action is necessary. 

Whether you’re a student-athlete, a professional player, or a weekend sports enthusiast, knowing your rights can make all the difference. Let Morgan & Morgan fight for you, ensuring you get the compensation you deserve and the accountability you seek.

Our experienced sports injury attorneys provide comprehensive, free case evaluations to determine liability and aggressive representation in negotiations and—if necessary—court proceedings. As the nation’s largest personal injury law firm, we have expert resources, including medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists, and offices in every state across the country, ensuring that no matter where you are, we have a lawyer nearby.

If you or a loved one has suffered a sports-related injury, contact Morgan & Morgan to learn more about how to get the justice and compensation you deserve. Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.