SPORTS INJURIES ATTORNEY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS

According to statistics from StopSportsInjuries.org, high school athletes account for approximately 2 million injuries, 30,000 hospitalizations, and 500,000 doctor visits each year. While participating in sporting events, students can be injured in a number of ways, including overuse, overtraining, improper warm-up, poor technique, force, and impact.

If you or your child sustained an injury while participating in organized sports, you are within your rights to seek compensation for your injuries. As a knowledgeable Texas personal injury attorney, I can investigate the details of your situation and explore your available legal options to recover damages. I will fight aggressively to protect your rights and help you pursue fair financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost opportunities, future medical treatment, or pain and suffering.

My firm — Jose Orihuela, Attorney at Law — is proud to serve victims of sports injury in Houston, South Houston, Pasadena, Friendswood, Texas, and the surrounding areas.

COMMON SPORT INJURIES

Some of the most common sports injuries include:

• Bruises

• Concussions

• Sprains and strains

• Cuts and abrasions

• Dehydration

• Fractures

• Muscle injuries

• Dental damage

• Groin strains

• Knee joint injuries

• Hamstring injuries

• Nose injuries

• Stress fractures

• Head trauma

• Exhaustion and fatigue

• Ligament tears

WHO MAY BE AT FAULT

Depending on the events leading to the sports injury, there are a number of different people who may be held liable, including:

• The league: The league or organizers of the sporting event may be held liable if they do not have standard safety measures in place to mitigate the risk of harm to participants.

• The coach: Coaches have a legal duty of care to protect athletes and participants from undue harm or bodily injuries. The coach may be liable for a player’s injury if he pushed a player too hard to practice or play without giving adequate rest or water breaks.

• Other players: Athletes often get worked up over team sports. Another player may be liable if a physical attack or hard tackle during a practice or game caused the victim’s injuries.

• Product manufacturer: A product manufacturer may be held responsible for a sports injury caused by defective equipment, including manufacturing flaws, design defects, or a piece of equipment that failed to work properly.

• Premises liability: When your injury occurred due to the unsafe condition of the court, field, or surrounding area, the property owner may be held financially responsible through a premises liability lawsuit.

PROVING NEGLIGENCE

In order to prove fault in a sports injury case, the plaintiff must show that:

• The defendant owed the victim a duty of care

• The duty of care was breached by the defendant

• The plaintiff suffered actual harm or bodily injury as a result of that breach

DEFENSES TO THE INJURY

Some possible defenses to sport injury claims include:

• Waiver of Liability: Waivers help protect a person or entity from legal liability. Once you sign a waiver, you have given away your right to file an injury claim against the entity.

• Assumption of Risk: Your decision to be involved in leisure sports or non-professional sporting activities means that you accept the risks of playing the sport. Therefore, you cannot hold another person liable for your injuries.

POSSIBLE DAMAGES AVAILABLE

The following damages may possibly be recovered from a sports injury claim:

• Immediate medical care expenses

• Lost opportunities

• Loss of enjoyment

• Ongoing and future medical treatment

• Out-of-pocket expenses related to the sport injuries

• Pain and suffering

• Punitive damages

WORK WITH AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY

Suffering a preventable sports injury can be a painful and devastating experience. Such an injury can affect you financially, physically, emotionally, and cost you future opportunities. However, you don’t have to go through this alone. If your sports injuries were caused by another person’s actions or negligence, you need to retain a knowledgeable personal injury attorney immediately to help protect your rights and pursue rightful compensation.

At Jose Orihuela, Attorney at Law, I have devoted my career to providing experienced legal guidance and compassionate representation to sports injury victims and their families. As your legal counsel, I can:

• Fight to protect your rights and represent your best interest

• Review the details of your case and conduct a comprehensive, private investigation

• Gather relevant information, pieces of evidence, and necessary documentation

• Work to prove fault and establish liability

• Determine the extent of your injuries and estimate your case value

• Help negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company

• File a personal injury claim, where applicable

I can fight to protect your rights and help pursue fair financial compensation to cover medical costs, lost opportunities, future medical treatment, or pain and suffering. Having me on your side can increase your chances of a favorable outcome in your personal injury lawsuit.