Lawsuit Filed Against Umpire

[BayStateRef]

I think most of these responses are missing the point. The umpires may -- ultimately -- have no liability. But it can be expensive, worrisome and time-consuming to defend a lawsuit, no matter how "frivolous" the claim may be against the umpire. That is what I would be concerned about: who is going to represent me to get my name tossed off the lawsuit.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BayStateRef

I think most of these responses are missing the point. The umpires may -- ultimately -- have no liability. But it can be expensive, worrisome and time-consuming to defend a lawsuit, no matter how "frivolous" the claim may be against the umpire. That is what I would be concerned about: who is going to represent me to get my name tossed off the lawsuit.

This is where a NASO membership comes in handy.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BayStateRef

I think most of these responses are missing the point. The umpires may -- ultimately -- have no liability. But it can be expensive, worrisome and time-consuming to defend a lawsuit, no matter how "frivolous" the claim may be against the umpire. That is what I would be concerned about: who is going to represent me to get my name tossed off the lawsuit.

Missing what point. If you have a state like mine where you get insurance for these issues for a sport you are licensed in or you have the NASO insurance, this part is not much of an issue.

Peace

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by BayStateRef

I think most of these responses are missing the point. The umpires may -- ultimately -- have no liability. But it can be expensive, worrisome and time-consuming to defend a lawsuit, no matter how "frivolous" the claim may be against the umpire. That is what I would be concerned about: who is going to represent me to get my name tossed off the lawsuit.

Rich mentions NASO membership, which includes insurance, but the purpose of any liability insurance is to address this issue. The insurance company is responsible for representing you, for removing your name when you're not liable, and for settling the case and paying when you are.

Might seem expensive until you need it.

[MikeStrybel]

Many years ago, an association I was involved with looked into a policy to protect those of us on the board. While researching it, one of our members could not find a case where a baseball umpire was successfully sued for administering a contest. He did find a couple cases where umpire misconduct (one threw a bat carelessly and another was drunk) led to case settlements. I am not sure that this isn't a bit of scare tactics by the insurance companies. The stories you read about from them are usually suppositional.

In Illinois, insurance coverage is as follows:

IHSA Official:
$1,000,000 per occurrence. Coverage includes defense costs and is excess of any other valid and collectible insurance. No liability coverage is provided for members while driving or riding in any auto.

NASO Membership:
$3,000,000 aggregate per event. Coverage is per occurrence (not claims made) protection for liability resulting from bodily injury, property damage, personal injury and advertising injury, and includes costs to defend against such claims as specified in the policy.

ABUA Membership: $2 Million per occurrence/$3 Million general aggregate coverage covers court judgments and awards; legal fees and court costs; $1 Million coverage for lawsuits for bodily injury, property damage and personal injury (defamation of charcter, libel, slander); $50,000 Coverage for fire damage. $0 deductible.

Do what is in your best interest.