Very Serious Injury

[Terrapins Fan]

I am just wondering, What happens when a player gets seriously injured from rough play?

Being a vague as I can be, we had a player ( girls middle school aged ) fell to the floor during a play broke her neck. She is now in The Intensive Care Unit.

I would not be surprised to see the family try to bring a law suit against, the officials? the School? I don't know who. But girls at this age foul and foul and foul. It is not unusual to have 40 plus fouls and 20 plus jump balls.

Has anyone been involved in anything like this? I did not referee this game, but I have friends who did. I also do referee games like this. It has me concerned.

Thanks.

[Judtech]

Very complicated situation.
In a nutshell:
The officials will most likely be named in the law suit. They will have to lawyer up. HOPEFULLY they have coverage for this (our association provides this and I THINK NASO does as well but not sure) There is a chance that their names will be thrown out of the law suit. There is also a chance that their counsel will settle to avoid the cost / time of court while admitting no fault.
Any and all game film will be under subpoena. I would STRONGLY advise that the two officials speak to no one but their lawyers about the game and immediately write down (noterized would be nice or just forwarded to their lawyer) EVERYTHING they can remeber about the game and incident. Over time memories fade and you "misremember". It would be a nice starting point for their defense.
Hope that helps a little.

[just another ref]

"Anybody can sue anybody for anything."

Judge Joseph Wapner

Having said that, and having read discussions on the subject here several times, I have yet to hear/read anything that would give such a suit against any official any merit.

[Judtech]

JAR a lot of it would have to be what the video shows. Since neither of us have seen it, then I would not say there is no merit to them being in the law suit.

[Terrapins Fan]

From past experience, these girls have very few skill and just beat up on one another game after game.

They are the hardest to officiate.

I had one game that was 11-12 in Double OT with 50 fouls and not a single basketball. ALL FREE THROWS.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Judtech

JAR a lot of it would have to be what the video shows. Since neither of us have seen it, then I would not say there is no merit to them being in the law suit.

No matter what the video shows, the officials are not responsible for injuries, in spite of what the fans say: "Y'all are gonna let somebody get hurt out there!"

[Terrapins Fan]

Originally Posted by just another ref

No matter what the video shows, the officials are not responsible for injuries, in spite of what the fans say: "Y'all are gonna let somebody get hurt out there!"

And you know this because.....

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

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

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

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.

[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.

[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.

[Judtech]

Originally Posted by just another ref

No matter what the video shows, the officials are not responsible for injuries, in spite of what the fans say: "Y'all are gonna let somebody get hurt out there!"

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.

[just another ref]

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.

I'd like to see a written definition of negligence in officiating a jr. hi or below basketball game.

A guy is speeding 100 mph and has a wreck. Is the cop who was on duty responsible?

[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?

[bob jenkins]

I'd agree wioth the "get a lawyer" advice, and documenting, while it's still fresh in their minds, the incident. Then, I'd follow the lawyer's advice, and not anything (unless it's coinicdentally the same) you read here -- includign the advice in the first sentence of my reply.