With school back in session, many children and teens are gearing up to play their favorite fall sport. According to a study done by Johns Hopkins, there are 30 million adolescents in the United States that participate in youth sports activities. While many walk away unharmed, over 775,000 children under the age of 14 are hospitalized or treated in the emergency rooms due to sports injuries each year. Did you know that 62% of all sports injuries occur during practice rather than during game time? Most parents do not. In fact, 33% of parents do not take the extra precautions for practice that they would during a game to prevent the risk of sports injuries.

As such, whether it is during practice or a game, coaches and parents should follow the following safety tips to avoid suffering from sports injuries…

Top 6 Sports Injury Safety Tips

1. Always make sure your child athlete has received a pre-participation physical exam and is prepared for the demands of the sport.

This is typically required by most school districts and organized sporting teams prior to the child being allowed to participate in the sport.

2. Always provide an accurate and complete medical history when completing sports participation forms.

If your child athlete suffers from asthma or allergies (i.e., food, bee stings, etc.), has Type 1 diabetes, has a chronic health condition or pre-existing medical concern, the coaches need to know this information to protect your child in the event an emergency occurs.

3. Always warm-up and stretch before games and practices.

Stretching all major muscle groups can release muscle tension and help prevent sports injuries.

4. Always remember to hydrate before and during all practices and games.

Failure to hydrate can lead to heat illness. Parents should send plenty of water with their child athlete to practice and during games. Coaches should set aside time for water breaks and not wait until the child tells them he or she is thirsty.

5. Always check sports equipment and gear before practice and games.

Failure to wear proper and up to date equipment, including, proper helmets, shoulder pads, chest and rib pads, shin guards, mouth guards, proper cleats, as the case may be, can lead to serious sports injuries, including, concussions, broken bones and torn muscles.

6. Avoid overuse sports injuries during practices and games.

Making rest a priority and taking breaks during practice and games can help prevent sports injuries. Encourage your child athlete to tell coaches and parents if they need a break, feel any pain, or have injured themselves in any way, so that the adult in charge can respond appropriately.

After suffering from a severe sports injury due to negligence, it may be a good idea to consult an experienced personal injury attorney.  While insurance may cover some of the medical costs, it does not compensate for the pain and suffering a victim suffers, including, emotional distress, and the inability to enjoy the game they love to play.

If your child becomes injured while playing a fall sport, don’t hesitate to contact The People’s Lawyer today. As lawyers and parents, we understand your child’s desire to play and the frustration when they are forced to sit out due to an injury. However, your child’s injury may not be their fault or related to the risk of playing their sport, if the coach or school’s negligence created a dangerous situation over and above the usual dangers that are inherent in the sport. If this is the case, your child may be entitled to compensation for his or her injury in a sports injury lawsuit. Contact Brindisi, Murad, Brindisi & Pearlman for a free consultation today.

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