An estimated 30 million children and teens in the US participate in organized sports. Sports are a fun way for kids to burn energy, be with friends, and participate in friendly competitions. But who's responsible if your child is injured while on the sports field?

There are 3.5 million sports-related injuries annually, which is why it's worth understanding what type of insurance could help if another player accidentally injures your child. With so many factors at play, working with a South Carolina independent insurance agent can give you the insight and answers you need. 

Who’s Responsible for an Accidental Sports Injury?

Accidents happen, especially in organized sports. The most common injuries are sprains and strains, but if another player is involved, it can be difficult to know who's responsible. Ultimately, the person responsible is the player. Unless the injury is intentional, it's hard to blame someone else for an injury.

Health insurance is the most beneficial coverage to have in the event of a personal injury. Health insurance for you and your child may be available through your employer. If it's not, you can purchase health insurance through the government and independently from health insurance carriers.

There are many options when it comes to health insurance, and it can be expensive coverage to secure. An agent can walk you through your options and help you get the right coverage for you and your family.

Can You File a Lawsuit against the Opposing Player? Coach? League?

It depends on the situation, but typically someone who is accidentally injured while playing sports cannot file a lawsuit. You would need to prove that the injury was intentionally caused by another person, which can be challenging, especially if it was an accident. 

When kids play organized sports, they're usually deemed to have assumed the risk of injury in the eyes of the law. This means you're recognizing the potential for injury and are choosing to participate anyway, but would not be able to sue someone else for an accident.

How Common Are Sports Injuries?

Injuries are pretty common with so many children and teens in organized sports. Just take a look at some of these stats:

8 Most Common Sports Injuries

Sports injuries can occur in multiple ways; some are more serious to treat than others. These are the most common sports injuries.

• Strains: Muscle strains can include pulled hamstrings, pulled groin muscles, torn Achilles tendons, and any other tears or strains that impact the muscles or tendons. With so many muscles and tendons in the body, it makes sense that strains are the most common sports injury. There's not much you can do for a strained muscle once it happens, so it's wise to try to prevent strains by properly stretching and warming up before participating in a recreational activity.
• Sprains: A sprain is like a strain but impacts ligaments instead of muscles and tendons. Sprains require more time to heal and can result in needing a cast or other form of immobilization. The most common sprains are ankle, wrist, and elbow sprains. Once again, proper stretching and warming up can help prevent sprains. 
• Knee injuries: A knee injury can take you out of the game for several months or even years. Tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are very common among athletes and can require surgery to fix. Once again, stretching and warming up are critical to help prevent these types of injuries.
• Fractures: Fractures are more likely to occur from impact sports. Fractures impact the bones and usually require surgery to fix. Wearing the appropriate padding, having good technique, and keeping the muscles strong can help reduce the potential for fractures.
• Tennis elbow: Tennis elbow is not the result of playing too much tennis. Yes, tennis is a culprit, but so are other sports where you're repetitively using your elbow joints, like golf. Aside from proper warm-up, if you start to experience tennis elbow, pulling back and taking a break can give your elbow time to heal. 
• Plantar fasciitis/shin splints: Runners, joggers, basketball players, and other athletes who use their feet and legs a lot typically run into shin splints or plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of a tendon in the foot's arch, causing sharp pain with every step. Shin splints are an inflammation of the muscles in the lower leg. 
• Back injuries: Nearly every recreational activity puts impact and strain on your back muscles. This can turn into inflammation, upper or lower back pain, and injuries to the discs. Back pain can be difficult and require long recovery time. Proper stretching can help alleviate back pain and be highly beneficial in helping to heal a back injury.
• Concussions: Concussions are most common in contact sports such as football. During a concussion, the brain lurches inside the skull, occasionally damaging the tissue. Concussions can be highly dangerous, and children and adults should cease any activities if it's assumed that a concussion has occurred. Medical evaluation is typically recommended, and symptoms should be monitored closely.

What If Neighborhood Kids Played Sports in Your Yard and Someone Was Injured?

Let's say you've set up an awesome mini soccer field in your backyard for neighborhood kids to play. If a child was injured while playing soccer in your backyard, the family could choose to sue you for the medical bills, since the injury occurred on your property. 

In this scenario, you'd be protected by the liability coverage in your homeowners insurance. This coverage can cover the medical expenses of an injured third person, the cost of repairs to someone else's property, and legal fees, including court fees, attorney fees, judgments, and settlement costs. 

Liability coverage is included in standard homeowners insurance, but an agent can help you understand your limits and determine if you need added coverage.

How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help? 

Sports injuries can require immediate medical attention and take time to heal. Having the proper insurance can help pay for associated medical bills and protect you if someone is injured while on your property. The best way to get the right coverage is with a South Carolina independent insurance agent.

These agents are experts in all things insurance. They can review your existing policies and make suggestions that may help better tailor your insurance to meet your needs. If you need additional coverage, they'll also take care of that. Before venturing into organized sports and recreational activities, work with an agent to ensure that you have the best insurance.