Very Serious Injury

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by Judtech

I know that JrHi games are basically scrums. BUT, if the video shows you were negligent in your duties, you could be in trouble. The first question the officials are going to be asked is this "How did she end up on the ground?" If you can't answer that, it will be EASY to prove negligence on the officials part. If the player went down due to some type of retaliation from the other player, negligence/standard of care again. No we don't "cause" injuries but we can be held responsible.

What difference does it make?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

And you know this because.....

If we are not responsible, why do we carry insurance?

Because of the headaches involved. jar is right, as far as I've read, the number of officials actually declared liable for injuries during play is zero. Insurance is so we get legal representantion for the time it takes the judge to throw our names off the list of defendants.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

What about negligence? Official observes a kid with a metal splint on his finger, examines it, and mistakenly allows it. In the game the metal splint pokes out the eye of another player.

This could be a case against us. But it hardly applies to the OP.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

This could be a case against us. But it hardly applies to the OP.

Billy's post was in response to the question as to why we would need insurance.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Billy's post was in response to the question as to why we would need insurance.

No eggnog, just Tramadol.

[Judtech]

Originally Posted by zm1283

What difference does it make?

Was the player pushed? Struck? Or did she just fall on her own?

The best case scenario (legally) would be that she just lost her balance and fell on her own.

SNAQ I somewhat agree with you. However, the cases that are brought against officials and settled out of court are not often reported as part of the agreement. Fortunately for us (officials) courts seem to be very lenient/forgiving/ and have not shown an overwhelming desire to pass judgements against officials. But to get the the jury point takes A LOT of money

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Judtech

But to get the the jury point takes A LOT of money

Hence our need for insurance in spite of the lack of any actual rulings against us.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Judtech

Was the player pushed? Struck? Or did she just fall on her own?

The best case scenario (legally) would be that she just lost her balance and fell on her own.

...

I don't see how whether or not the player was pushed/struck would make a difference in regards to liability of the officials unless there was video showing that officials were allowing those kinds of action to occur without being penalized the entire game.

[VaTerp]

Originally Posted by Judtech

Was the player pushed? Struck? Or did she just fall on her own?

The best case scenario (legally) would be that she just lost her balance and fell on her own.

SNAQ I somewhat agree with you. However, the cases that are brought against officials and settled out of court are not often reported as part of the agreement. Fortunately for us (officials) courts seem to be very lenient/forgiving/ and have not shown an overwhelming desire to pass judgements against officials. But to get the the jury point takes A LOT of money

IMO the only thing that would matter about how she fell would be if there was an unsafe playing condition that the officials "should" have been aware of prior to the incident.

I would love to see argument/documented cases for a sports official being held legally responsible for an injury caused by the actions of participants. Especially, in a situation like the one referenced in the OP.

Most parents have to sign liability waivers that include assumptions of risk as part of participating in any sport. Like others have said, this is America, you can sue anybody for anything. But I would bet good money that the overwhelming majority of cases of this nature are thrown out before they ever see a court room.

Here's a link with some info on these types of lawsuits:

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?ui...04&topic=10902

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

If that cop observed him speeding and chose not to enforce the speed limit, then yes, he could be held to some level of cupability.

No, the cop didn't see him. Kinda like a lot of things in a jr. high game.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

No eggnog, just Tramadol.

Good news for all Forum members. All the holiday nog is gone.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I don't see how whether or not the player was pushed/struck would make a difference in regards to liability of the officials unless there was video showing that officials were allowing those kinds of action to occur without being penalized the entire game.

This. Players foul each other and end up on the ground all the time. Unless the officials were negligent or put the injured player on the ground themselves, I don't know how they could be found liable in a civil suit. If that was the case, football officials would be constantly fighting lawsuits.

[BktBallRef]

Terp fan, I would suggest sending a PM to Texas Aggie. He's an attorney.

[Terrapins Fan]

Thanks for the advice. We have a lawyer who works with us as an official also.

I do not know any details of the game.

It does make you think.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

And you know this because.....

If we are not responsible, why do we carry insurance?

Because even if a lawsuit gets thrown out (which it will except in the case of gross negligence) it costs money to defend yourself. Anyone can get sued.

I belong to NASO and I have an umbrella insurance policy. The main reason is to have someone else with skin in the game so they provide the lawyers I'd need *if* I get sued.