This book provides an up to date and useful reference tool in respect to
the issues that are likely to be faced when mastering sports injury
cases.
Sport has become increasingly commercialised, which has in turn led to
an increase in the financial stakes for participants and clubs in
particular and greater financial loss should a participant suffer
injury. As a result, there has been a significant increase in recourse
to the courts when things go badly. Parties seek new and inventive ways
to recover damages from a variety of sources for injuries sustained in
the sporting context. The area of negligence in sport has moved a long
way since 1985 when it was observed that there was no reported authority
as to the applicable standard of care.
This guide provides practical and straightforward guidance for all
lawyers conducting personal injury cases in a sports law context. It is
aimed at solicitors, barristers and those who might have an interest in
sports injury law including sporting organisations, professional and
amateur clubs, schools and local authorities and insurers. It is
intended as a useful reference tool for sports lawyers and personal
injury practitioners in respect of the sort of issues that they are
likely to meet on a regular basis in the course of their busy practice
and it provides an efficient introduction to what points should be
considered at the earliest stage.
The general principles in respect of liability in negligence, trespass
to the person and contract are discussed in the first two chapters when
considering the liability of the sporting competitor or participant to
other participants and to spectators. Later chapters consider the
liability of those responsible for the sporting venue, of the event
promoter or organiser, of the sports official, of the sporting governing
body or licensing authority and also that of the sports physician, while
the available defences and the question of the assessment of damages are
dealt with in separate chapters. An exposition of the current state of
the law relating vicarious liability is dealt with in a separate
chapter, as is the subject of abuse in the sports context.
