Unanchored Portable Soccer Goal Causes Fatality

Third-grader, Juan Escalera, 9 dies after soccer goal falls on him causing brain trauma.  It is unclear as to what caused the goal to fall while Juan and his cousins were playing soccer after church in Sampson County, NC. 

There have been 36 deaths in the U.S. since 1979 from portable soccer goals falling.  Goals should be held down with stakes or sand bags as they can weigh up to 500lbs. 

Click here to see our prior blog and video on this topic “Video Explains Soccer Goal Tip Over Hazards”

Source: WRAL Local News

Identifying Theft In Sports Organizations And Need For Crime Insurance

One of our sports insurance clients wrote a fantastic article on how to prevent insider theft in youth sports organizations. Unfortunately, this insight was gained from his first hand experience and he now wishes that he had purchased crime insurance to go along with his Accident and General Liability coverages.

This article covers some new ground on the following topics:

* behavioral signs of the people who are most likely to steal (ex: living beyond means, unwilling to share duties)

* warning signs that theft may be occurring (ex: missing / unorganized records, sudden drop in revenue)

* overall protections that should be implemented (ex: avoid multiple board members who are closely related, insist of financial reporting at meetings)

*how to protect against the theft of cash from concessions and gate receipts (ex: always take beginning and ending inventory at concession stand, issue tickets or use counter)

* some statistics on the mindset of the embezzler (10% will steal no matter what)

For the 10% who will steal no matter what, all sports organizations definitely need Crime Insurance. We offer a $25,000 Sports Crime Insurance policy for $175 a year.

Click here for this fantastic article

Source: Anonymous

SC Supreme Court Rules Softball Contact Sport

In March 2004, Jeff Wagner left work and joined a father-son pickup softball game during a Boy Scout camping trip.  During the game Wagner and another father, David Cole collided which left Wagner with a broken rib.  Cole suffered a head wound, went into convulsions, then spent a couple of days in intensive care.  Personal distress and injury led Cole and his son to sue the church, the Boy Scouts and Wagner. 

“While Cole was playing a casual game in which the teams did not even keep score, he was still playing softball, which is a contact sport,” the SC Supreme Court wrote in Monday’s opinion. “Where a person chooses to participate in a contact sport, whatever the level of play, he assumes the risks inherent in that sport.”

Source: Insurance Journal 2011

What Youth Sports Administrators Have in Common with Paterno, Spanier, Curley & McQuery

Do you realize how much YOU have in common with Joe Paterno, Graham Spanier, Tim Curley and Mike McQuery?  No, these men did not commit the physical crimes against children, as did Jerry Sandusky.  However, they are responsible and liable for their own actions when there is even a hint that someone is abusing a child.  This blog isn’t specifically about the Penn State case and who was (or wasn’t) fired, that will all pan out in court, but it is a REALITY check for all involved with youth that no one is invincible.

While the Penn State case is making national headlines because of its legendary coach and it’s football program, understand that this happens FREQUENTLY in youth sports.  Most of our readers are involved in teams/leagues/youth programs in one-way or the other. Are you a coach, athletic director, team mom or a parent on the side-lines?  Whatever your position, today is the day to step back and realize where exactly you fit into the lives of the kids participating in your youth sports organization.   You are there to protect them at all cost.

Some time ago, we did a blog on Protect Your Kids From Predators In Youth Sports.  This blog is a must read for anyone that has or is involved with children. It includes an article from Sports Illustrated from actual predators in youth programs saying “This is how we got away with it …this is how you protect your kids.” (Example from the article, Did you know, Studies have found that the average preferential molester victimizes about 120 children before he is caught? DISTURBING). It also contains useful Risk Management guidelines that can be implemented TODAY!

For more articles on preventing sexual abuse and molestation, visit our blog.

Shart this with others so that we all can make a difference.

Sadler Sports Insurance “Best Fitness Instructor” 2011

Sadler Sports & Recreation Insurance is pleased to announce the winners of the Facebook “Best Fitness Instructor” contest.  The winner was determined by the most “likes” and nominations from group members and other participants.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

Congratulations to Christopher Malenab, Sacramento, CA!!!!  

 Chris will receive a $50 American Express gift card.

Due to the great response from our Fitness Instructors we have also chosen a Runner-Up, in this case, TWO!! They had the exact same number!

RUNNER-UP:

Angela Ponzio, Elmwood Park, IL

Leslie Franklin, Springfield, MO

 Each of these ladies will receive a $25 American Express gift card.

Thank you to all the participants. We hope that you enjoyed the contest. The best part of the contest was actually seeing the comments that were made by others on how their personal trainer has changed their lives.

If you would like more information on the fitness instructor insurance that Sadler Sports and Recreation provides their customers, visit us today!

Why Do Field / Facility Owners Require To Be Named On Sports Insurance Policies?

Field / facility owners such as recreation departments, school districts, schools, and municipalities often allow outside user groups to use their premises under a lease or permit. These relationships are beneficial to all parties involved. However, field / facility owners expose themselves and their insurance carriers to liability arising from injuries that may occur on the premises arising out of the lease or permit. This is true even though the injury may be due to the 100% negligence of the outside user group.

Field / facility owners are almost always shot gunned into these lawsuits as a deep pocket even if they are 0% at fault. The defense costs and possibility of settlement or adverse jury verdict can be very expensive. This can result in unbudgeted out of pocket expenses (in event of self insurance or large deductible insurance program) or in a large loss that is paid by their insurance carrier. When these losses are paid by insurance carriers, such insurance carriers may non renew or may ask for large rate increases. Therefore, field / facility owners have a lot to lose when they make their premises available to outside user groups.

It makes sense that the group that is responsible for the injury and resulting lawsuit should be financially responsible for paying the damages. Therefore, prudent field / facility owners require outside users to carry their own insurance that meets certain minimum standards that are drafted by risk managers or attorneys employed by the field / facility owner.  Such insurance requirements specify the types of policies to be carried, minimum limits of coverage, and special coverage endorsements such as “Additional Insured” status for the premises owner.

Requiring outside user groups to be financially responsible for their own injuries and lawsuits is a good business practice. Even high limit insurance is surprisingly affordable and easy to obtain when reputable sports insurance and event insurance specialists are contacted.