Sports Injury

Sports injuries can lead to severe, life-altering conditions. From April 1, 2017, to March 31, 2022, Ontario reported over 6,000 hospitalizations due to sports injuries. According to a report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Ontario witnessed a diverse range of sport and winter injury hospitalizations in 2021-2022. Falls on ice topped the list with 1,917 cases, followed closely by cycling injuries at 1,352. All-terrain vehicle accidents and playground-related injuries also contributed significantly to the statistics, with 603 and 467 hospitalizations, respectively. Winter sports such as skiing/snowboarding and snowmobiling accounted for 314 and 204 cases. Other less common but still notable causes listed in the report include animal riding injuries, scooter accidents, and various team sports such as hockey, soccer, and football. 

Recognizing the need for legal support, Oatley Vigmond offers expert legal services aimed at addressing the unique aspects of sports accident injury claims.

Sports Accident Injury Lawyers in Ontario

Ontario law recognizes that participating in sports comes with inherent risks. However, this doesn’t mean that all injuries are simply “part of the game”. If your injury resulted from negligence or recklessness of others, you may have grounds for a claim.

While each case is unique, common types of catastrophic sports injury claims include:

Faulty Equipment: Defective or poorly maintained sports equipment can lead to serious injuries. This can include anything from helmets that fail to protect against concussions to gym equipment that breaks during use. Holding manufacturers or maintenance providers accountable is essential to prevent future incidents and secure compensation for your injuries.

Inadequate Supervision: Many sports, especially those involving minors, require adequate supervision to ensure safety. Injuries can occur if coaches, lifeguards, or other responsible parties fail to monitor activities properly, resulting in accidents that could have been prevented with proper oversight.

Improper Coaching or Instruction: Coaches and trainers have a duty to provide correct and safe guidance. Improper techniques, unrealistic training regimens, or pushing athletes beyond their limits can result in severe injuries. Establishing that a coach’s negligence or incompetence contributed to your injury is a key aspect of such claims.

Reckless Conduct: Sometimes injuries occur due to the reckless or intentional actions of another player or participant. Whether it’s an overly aggressive tackle in hockey or an intentional foul in basketball, proving that another individual’s reckless behavior caused your injury is critical in seeking compensation.

Unsafe Surfaces or Sport Facilities: Poorly maintained or unsafe playing surfaces and facilities can be hazardous. This includes anything from slippery floors, uneven turf, to faulty lighting that impedes visibility. Demonstrating that these unsafe conditions contributed to your injury can be a significant component of your claim.

Ice hockey is widely recognized as one of the most popular fast-contact sports in Ontario. Players face a heightened risk of injuries owing to the sport’s high-speed, physical dynamics and the utilization of robust equipment. Here are some of the most common and serious injuries:

Concussions: These are prevalent due to the frequent body contact and potential for collisions with the boards or other players. Concussions can have long-term effects on cognitive function and overall health.

Musculoskeletal Injuries: These include injuries to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Examples are sprains, strains, fractures (especially of the collarbone or leg bones), and joint dislocations.

Facial and Dental Injuries: Players can sustain injuries to the face, such as cuts, bruises, fractures of the cheekbones or jaw, and dental injuries from impacts with sticks, pucks, or other players.

Spinal Injuries: Although less common, spinal injuries can occur from high-impact collisions or falls. These injuries can lead to paralysis or significant neurological damage.

Eye Injuries: Injuries to the eyes can happen from high-speed pucks or sticks, leading to damage ranging from minor cuts to severe trauma affecting vision.

Hip and Pelvic Injuries: These can occur from falls or collisions, leading to fractures or strains that can affect mobility and require extensive recovery.

Lacerations and Contusions: Cuts and bruises are common due to the physical nature of the game and the use of sharp skates and hard equipment.

When negligence or recklessness leads to severe injuries like strong concussions, brain injuries, spinal damage, or severe fractures in hockey, legal recourse for compensation from the venue or insurance may be pursued.

Our team can help you navigate the complex legal landscape. We understand the nuances of sports-related liability and can assess whether equipment failure, poor maintenance of facilities, or another party’s negligence contributed to your injury.

In Ontario, there are strict timelines for filing injury claims. Our team ensures that all necessary documentation is filed promptly and correctly. We also assist in gathering and presenting crucial evidence, such as medical records, witness statements, and expert testimonies if necessary. Perhaps most importantly, hiring a lawyer allows you to focus on what matters most – your recovery. While you concentrate on regaining your health and returning to the activities you love, your lawyer will handle the legal complexities of your case.

Catastrophic Sports Injury

Finding a reputable personal injury law firm is crucial for advocating in a catastrophic sports injury case. These cases are often complex, involving disputes with established municipalities or large sporting organizations that have well-funded defence teams. Additionally, personal injury claims are time-sensitive and require navigation through intricate legal and insurance frameworks within strict deadlines to ensure eligibility.

Insurance companies often play a significant role in sports injury cases. Whether it’s a personal insurance policy or coverage held by a sports organization, these companies may attempt to minimize payouts. An experienced lawyer can level the playing field, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

By choosing Oatley Vigmond, you benefit from decades of legal expertise and bring on board a team of talented, skilled, and experienced lawyers. Our representatives are among the brightest, most innovative, and highly effective professionals in the field, committed to securing the best possible outcome for you.