SPORTS CLUBS MAY NOW HAVE TO PAY PERSONAL INJURY COMPENSATION TO OPPONENTS’ INJURED PLAYERS

The Court of Appeal have decided that when a player suffers an injury as a result of an “assault” by another player during the game, sports clubs may now have to pay injury compensation to the victim of the “assault”.

The decision involved a match between teams playing for Redruth Rugby Football Club and Halifax Rugby Football Club that took place in 2005.  During the match one of the Redruth players thumped a Halifax team member, Andrew Gravil, and he sustained injuries to his eye socket.

At the original trial of the personal injury claim, the Court made a distinction between full-time and semi-professional players.  However, the Court of Appeal found that it was fair and just for clubs to be held responsible in this situation whether or not the participants in the match were employed by the clubs on a full-time or part-time basis.

The result of the decision is that Redruth Rugby Football Club must now pay compensation to Mr Gravil.

COMMENT:-

It has long been the case that if one player causes injury to another because of recklessness, then the offending player and possibly his club may be held responsible and liable to pay compensation to the injured player.  The Court of Appeal decision has reinforced that where the offending player is paid to play, the club itself may not be able to avoid a personal injury claim.

The decision is not limited to rugby matches, but will apply to all sports where the participants receive some element of payment from sports clubs, whether employed on a full-time or part-time basis, or perhaps even when only modest appearance money is paid.

PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM SOLICITORS:-

If you have suffered injury while taking part in an organised sports event, contact personal injury specialists Hinchliffes Solicitors for immediate legal advice, to find out if you are entitled to make claims for injury compensation.  All cases are dealt with on a No Win - No Fee basis and successful Clients keep 100% of the compensation recovered.

Call now on 0800 138 1348 to speak direct to a personal injury lawyer or go to our Start Your Claim Now page to submit details of your personal injury claim online.

Tags: injury, injury compensation, personal injury, rugby, soccer, sports clubs

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 at 10:53 am and is filed under ALL NEWS ITEMS, Sports accidents.