Were you seriously injured while playing a sport in El Segundo, California? While California law does recognize that certain risks come with athletic activity, there are many situations where another party’s negligence crosses the line. You may be entitled to compensation if that’s the case in your situation.
J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you make the most of your claim. Our El Segundo sport injury lawyers have decades of combined experience and have already won tens of millions of dollars for our clients. We’ll work just as hard on your behalf if you hire us. Call us today at (323) 284-2834 or reach out online to get started.
How J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Sports Injury in El Segundo, CA
Sports injury claims can be more legally complex than many other personal injury cases. If another person, organization, or property owner acted recklessly or increased the inherent risks beyond what is ordinarily expected, you may still have a valid claim.
Our El Segundo personal injury lawyers at J. Hartley Law will get involved early and start building your case right away.
If you hire us, we can:
- Investigate how your injury happened and identify all of the potentially liable parties
- Gather evidence showing that the defendant’s conduct went beyond the ordinary risks of the sport
- Work with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries
- Evaluate all of your economic and non-economic damages, including long-term costs you may not have considered
- Handle the communications and negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf
- File a lawsuit and take your case to trial if a fair settlement can’t be reached
Our team is ready to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact our El Segundo sport injury attorneys today for a free case review.
What Are My Legal Options After a Sports Injury in El Segundo?
California law recognizes what’s known as the “primary assumption of risk” doctrine, established by the California Supreme Court in Knight v. Jewett (1992). Under this rule, a person who voluntarily participates in a sport generally cannot sue for injuries caused by risks that are inherent to that activity. Getting tackled in football or taking a hard foul in basketball, for example, would typically fall under this doctrine.
However, assumption of risk has its limits. You may still have a valid personal injury claim if the person or entity responsible for your injury did something that went beyond the normal scope of the activity.
The following situations are common exceptions:
- A coach acted with gross negligence, such as forcing an injured athlete to keep playing
- Another participant intentionally tried to injure you or behaved in a way that had nothing to do with the sport itself
- A facility failed to maintain safe conditions on its premises
- Poorly maintained equipment contributed to your injury
- A youth sports organization failed to provide adequate supervision for minors
Note that liability waivers, which many sports organizations require participants to sign, are not bulletproof. California courts will generally enforce them for ordinary negligence, but they do not protect a defendant from behavior that goes beyond that.
How Long Do I Have to File a Sports Injury Claim in California?
California’s statute of limitations generally gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss that filing time limit, you will almost certainly lose your right to seek compensation from the opposing party.
There are some exceptions to this rule, but they apply only in limited circumstances. If your claim involves a public entity like a school district or city-run facility, for example, you may need to file a government tort claim within six months of the incident. Missing that shorter deadline can bar you from suing the public entity altogether.
The safest course of action is to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. That way, we can help ensure that you take appropriate legal action on time.
Contact Our El Segundo Sports Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured while playing sports or working out in El Segundo, CA, know that you may still have legal options available to you. Many sports injuries are caused by behavior that goes well beyond the normal risks of the activity.
Our El Segundo sport injury attorneys at J. Hartley Law have 20 years of combined experience and have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you move forward.