Springfield Sports Attorneys

Representing Missouri Athletes, Coaches, Agents, and Managers

Are you an athlete who suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence? Are you a coach or manager who is looking to enter or exit an athletic organization? Do you work in the sports industry and need help negotiating an important contract? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you already know you need legal representatives who understand the highly specific needs of sports professionals. Potts Law Firm can provide the aggressive, results-oriented advocacy you need to succeed.

It's all about our power and getting you the best possible result. Our Springfield sports lawyers have over 250 years of combined legal experience and understand what it takes to protect your interests in a variety of industry-specific scenarios. We are also familiar with the logistical realities of athletic professions and will work around your schedule. You can count on us to go the distance and make every effort to help you achieve your goals.

If you are seeking representation or need advice on a specific case, do not hesitate to schedule a free initial consultation by contacting us online or calling (417) 323-6752. Our firm offers same-day appointments and provides services in English and Spanish.

When Can I Recover Damages for Sports Injuries in Missouri?

All athletes accept a certain level of risk when they agree to play competitively, especially in high-contact sports like football or hockey. Part of this assumption of risk is accepting the reality that you could sustain an injury that prevents you from playing for months or even ends your career.

Injuries sustained during normal play are not grounds for a personal injury claim. Normal play refers to any situation where you are actively competing during a game and, therefore, the possibility of getting injured exists. For example, if you are a professional football player and are injured by a tackle during a play, you were injured during normal play, and you cannot successfully seek compensation for those injuries through personal injury litigation.

You can only successfully recover damages for sports injuries when:

• You are injured outside of normal play. All competitive sports clearly delineate when competitive play starts and ends. If you are injured by another player or any other party outside of normal play, you may be able to explore legal action. For example, if a football play ends and another player deliberately strikes and injures you, you sustained harm outside of normal play and could have a case against them.
• You are injured due to defective equipment. When playing at the professional or collegiate level, you reasonably assume that the equipment you are provided with is reasonably safe. If you sustain injuries due to hazardous, defective equipment, such as training equipment or safety equipment, you may be able to seek damages through a product liability claim.
• You are injured because of unsafe premises. Similarly, owners of athletic facilities have a responsibility to maintain their premises and meaningfully address or resolve safety hazards. If you are injured while training or competing at an athletic facility that the owner negligently failed to maintain, you may have a premises liability claim.
• You are injured because you were pressured to return to work before existing injuries fully healed. Whenever a prized athlete becomes unable to compete, there is always pressure to get them back in play as soon as feasibly possible. This leads to unfortunate situations where coaches and athletic organizations push injured athletes to return without giving them enough time to recover. When an athlete returns to competitive play too soon, there is a higher chance they will develop new injuries or exacerbate existing ones. If you were convinced to return to play sooner than what your medical team recommended and subsequently sustained additional injuries, do not wait to get in touch with Potts Law Firm.

Not sure whether a sports injury warrants litigation? Call (417) 323-6752 or contact us online to discuss your case and options with our seasoned legal team.