Sports were limited for a lot of people over the past year. Many school sports programs shut down and some have still not returned. Gyms and workout facilities were often closed or limited as high-risk businesses. If someone could not participate in sports at home or outside, that could limit their exercise options.
According to one news report, there was an increase in power-tool accidents and firework injuries over the past year. However, sports injuries and playground equipment injuries fell sharply. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there was a drop in injuries involving popular school sports, including:
- Track-and-field
- Soccer
- Football
- Hockey
- Baseball
As restrictions are lifting, sports and recreation are coming back. With health checks and masks required for all but the athletes, even the NCAA tournament was back on for March Madness. When returning to sports and exercise after a long hiatus, it is important to take it slow. However, some sporting injuries are caused by the negligence of another instead of anything the victim does.
Defective Sporting Equipment
A lot of people have been investing in exercise equipment for the home. This might include a weight bench, rowing machine, or exercise bike. Sporting equipment is supposed to be safe for the customer when used as expected. However, some of this equipment may be defective, putting the user at risk of an injury.
Last year, Peleton issued a recall for their popular exercise bikes for possible equipment failure. The company voluntarily recalled pedals on about 27,000 bikes after users reported leg injuries from breaking pedals. Some pedals had broken off during use, causing riders to suffer leg lacerations and other injuries.
Over the years, the CPSC has recorded recalls for defective sports equipment, including:
- Exercise bikes
- Exercise weights
- Elliptical trainers
- Stepmills
- Home gyms
- Resistance bands
- Weight benches
- Isometric exercise devices
When defective sporting equipment causes an injury, the injury victim may be able to claim damages from the manufacturer. The manufacturer, distributor, or seller may be strictly liable for design defects, warning defects, and manufacturing defects.
Horseback Riding Accidents
Some people are trying out new sports or bucket-list activities after a year at home. Horseback riding is a popular option that still includes outdoor activity and limited person-to-person interaction.
Horses are powerful animals and when a horse and rider are involved in an equine accident, it can cause serious injury. Day rides are common for new and first-time riders. This allows someone to get the chance to ride a horse under the supervision of a trained rider. Unfortunately, even trained riders can make mistakes when helping new riders, and increase the risk of an accident.
A fall from a horse may not seem that high but the types of falls that happen from horses often put the rider’s head or neck on the ground. This can cause serious neck, head, or spinal injuries. Spinal cord injuries can cause permanent nerve damage, including paralysis, paraplegia, or quadriplegia.
The horse owner may try and blame an accident on the rider. However, the injury may have been partially caused by the negligence of the owner, trainer, or supervisor. The stable owner may not have properly trained the employee, which could also make the employer liable for the customer’s injuries. If you were injured in an equine accident, you may be able to recover damages.
Personal Injury Claim Lawyers
If a sports injury was caused by the negligence of another person, you may be able to claim damages for your injuries. Damages in a personal injury claim may include:
- Medical bills
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
Many injuries that occur on Valentine’s Day are not the fault of the injury victim. A negligent driver, careless property owner, or defective product may cause serious injury. If you suffered an injury caused by another person’s negligence, you may be able to recover damages for your medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
Contact Gilman & Bedigian to speak with a member of our personal injury team, fill out an online case evaluation form or call (800) 529-6162 today.