Horror Stories About What Can Go Wrong
Serious Lawsuits and Injuries Can Happen
In Your Sports Organization
Ask Yourself: Are You Fully Protected?
Listed below are descriptions of actual cases...
Sports are supposed to be fun, but in the insurance business we often hear "horror stories" about serious lawsuits and injuries. Besides being an insurance advisor, I am also an attorney and I know how these "horror stories" can turn into fear and worry. Will you be sued? How will you pay the medical bills?
I wanted to share these cases with you so that you will have a better understanding of some of the risks that you may face in the running of a sports organization.
Recent Lawsuits - General Liability Policy
- Assistant coach struck in the face by a pitched baseball while warming up the pitcher. FL $1,001,857
- Spectator was struck in the jaw by an overthrown ball while standing in the spectator area. Player who threw the ball was warming up outside of the playing field. LA $326,212
- Player drowned in the lake while on a team outing - picnic. SC $319,403
- Spectator suffered dislocated elbow after being struck when strong winds blew tent over. NJ $62,346
- Baseball player was hit in mouth by bat of another player while in on deck circle. FL $41,908
- Spectator suffered leg laceration from metal bolt protruding from bleachers. RI $40,000
- Spectator was hit in the head by a thrown ball during warm-ups resulting in head fracture and blood clot. MS $31,300
- Coach was struck by baseball by one of the players from another team while coach was leaving the field. LA $13,898
- Spectator fell off the grandstand and suffered head injury. SC $4,487
- Youth football player was scolded by coach, humiliated, and forced to quit the team. CA $19,626
- Infant was struck in head by foul ball. FL $5,000
- Coach was observing tryouts from bleachers and caught foot and fell tearing ACL. NJ $12,906
- While sliding into third base, claimant suffered laceration to lower leg. OH $15,829
- Scorekeeper hit in head by foul ball resulting in concussion. MS $6,249
- Spectator hit in face by baseball bat that flew out of batter's hand during swing. SC $5,078
Recent Lawsuits - Directors & Officers Liability
- Alleged race discrimination for not allowing a team to join a football league resulted in no judgment or settlement being paid but in legal fees. WV $24,715
- Alleged race discrimination for not allowing a team to join a baseball league resulted in no judgment or settlement being paid but in legal fees. MS $28,912
Recent Volunteer Thefts - Crime Policy
- President of baseball league took money from league funds and did not repay. FL $3,230
- Director in charge of special projects took funds from BBQ and candy sales. TX $5,861
Recent Equipment Losses - Equipment Policy
- Water damage to uniforms and equipment. MI $57,547
- Fire damaged equipment and baseball items. NY $62,380
- Theft of bleachers, coffee machine, concession stand damaged. MO $11,790
- Theft of football equipment. CA $28,918
- Storage trailer broken into and uniforms stolen. PA $37,688
Recent Injuries - Accident Policy
- Assistant coach struck in face by pitched baseball while warming up pitcher. FL $104,000
- Base runner suffered tendon/ligament damage to knee as a result of contact with home plate while sliding. TX $16,953
- Infielder suffered fractured nose as a result of being struck by a thrown ball. LA $13,266
- Pitcher suffered a fractured elbow as a result of being hit by a batted ball. NC $10,497
- Base runner suffered a knee injury as a result of sliding foot first into a fixed base. TX $9,495
- Youth football player was tackled and femur fractured when player fell on him. OH $18,218
- Youth basketball player injured knee. TX $17,159
- Adult soccer player suffered detached retina. CA $19,522
- Adult soccer player suffered ACL tear. NV $18,872
You should be concerned, but, there is a solution...
The insurance programs offered by Sadler & Company provide superior protection at the lowest possible cost.
