LEGAL CONCERNS AND INSURANCE ISSUES Liability is the state of being responsible for harm one causes to another person.
The Standard of Reasonable Care Negligence is the failure to use ordinary or reasonable care - care that
persons would normally exercise to avoid injury to themselves or to others under similar circumstances. The standard of reasonable
care assumes that an individual is neither exceptionally skillful nor extraordinarily cautious, but is a person of reasonable
and ordinary prudence. Displaying commonsense Torts are legal wrongs committed against the person or property of
another. Such wrong may emanate from an act of omission, wherein the individual fails to perform a legal duty, or from an
act of commission, wherein he or she commits an act that is not legally his or hers to perform. Duty is responsibility
to a particular group Statute of Limitation A statute of limitation sets a specific length of time that
individuals may sue for damages from negligence. The length of time to being suit varies from state to state, but in general
plaintiffs have between one to three years to file suit for negligence. Some states permit an injured minor to file suit
up to three years after the minor reaches the age of eighteen. Assumption of Risk An athlete assumes the
risk of participating in an activity when he or she knows of and understands the dangers of that activity and voluntarily
chooses to be exposed to those dangers. An assumption of risk can be expressed in the form of a waiver signed by an athlete
or his parents or guardian or can be implied from the conduct of an athlete under the circumstances of his or her participation
in an activity. Assumption of risk may be asserted as a defense to a negligence suit brought by an injured athlete.
Reducing the Risk of Litigation The coach and athletic trainer can significantly decrease the risk of litigation by
paying attention to several key points. The coach should follow these guidelines: 1. Warn athletes of the potential
dangers inherent in their sports. 2. Supervise regularly and attentively. 3. Properly prepare and condition athletes.
4. Properly instruct athletes in the skills of their sports. 5. Ensure that proper and safe equipment, and facilities
are used by athletes at all times. The athletic trainer should do as follows: (these are a few examples from page
65) 1. Work to establish good personal relationships with athletes, parents, and coworkers. 2. Develop and carefully
follow an emergency plan. 3. Obtain, from athletes and from parents or guardians when minors are involved, written consent
for providing health care. 4. Maintain confidentiality of medical records. 5. Not use or permit the presence of
faulty or hazardous equipment. 6. Not permit injured players to participate unless cleared by the team physician. Players
suffering a head injury should not be permitted to reenter the game. In some states a player who has suffered a concussion
may not continue in the sport for the balance of the season. 7. Use common sense in making decisions about the athletes
health and safety. Product Liability Manufacturers of athletic equipment have a duty to design and produce
equipment that will not cause injury as long as it is used as intended. An express warranty is the manufacturers written
statement that a product is safe. Warning labels on football helmets inform the player of possible dangers inherent in using
the product. Athletes must read and sign a form indicating that they have read and understand the warning. The National
Operating Committee on Standards of Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) established minimum standards for equipment that must be met
to ensure its safety. WARNING: Do not strike an opponent with any part of this helmet or face mask. This is a violation
of football rules and may cause you to suffer severe brain or neck injury, including paralysis or death. Severe brain or
neck injury may also occur accidentally while playing football. NO HELMET CAN PREVENT ALL SUCH INJURIES. USE THIS HELMET
AT YOUR OWN RISK. Malpractice- liability where there is an unfavorable outcome of patient-athletic trainer interaction.
Causal Relationship- Negligent action must have caused the injury Demonstration of Injury- Must show that
injury was directly related to negligent action. DEFENSE AGAINST LAW SUIT 1. Assumption of risk- a person
knows that, in what they are doing there is a risk of injury. 2. Contributory Negligence- amount to which the injured
party contributed to their injury. 3. Comparative Negligence- compares one person's negligence to the injured party's
negligence. 4. Act of God- refers to natural disasters 5. Informed Consent- Athlete must be told about
risk of injury. 6. Shared Responsibility- Athlete has certain responsibilities to themselves. 7. Good
Samaritan Laws- states those who come to the aid of an injured person, and act within their scope of practice are immune from
actions or damages. (Does not cover negligent conduct) 8. Waivers- a legal contract in which the signatories give
up the right to sue for damages in exchange for services performed on them. 9. Statute of Limitations- Set the
period of time that a person may sue for damages. TIPS TO KEEP FROM BEING SUED: 1. Keep accurate
records (on file for 8 years) 2. Document treatment, rehab, and evaluation/diagnosis of injury 3. Know History
of athletes 4. Maintain supervision 5. Use caution and document OTC medication 6. Work closely with team
physician 7. Only trainer or doctor can clear athlete to play- don't be pressured by coaches! 8. Develop and utilize
proper policies and procedures.
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