What's Causing Athletic Injuries? Lessons From Claims

Some athletic risks are unavoidable. However, when an institution fails to properly manage foreseeable hazards in its Athletics programs, the institution may be held responsible for related player injuries.

United Educators (UE) reviewed 209 claims involving injured intercollegiate and club athletes. UE’s review of claims shows that deficiencies in coaching, facilities, equipment, and medical care caused institutions to be responsible for player injuries.

By applying lessons from this claims study, your institution reduces the injuries and liability arising from problems with coaching, facilities, equipment, and medical care.

• In UE’s claims study, the average claim involving injured intercollegiate and club athletes resulted in losses of more than $420,000.
• Claims related to football were the most commonly filed, followed by basketball, softball, soccer, and baseball.
• Coaching errors were the top cause of player injuries and cited in 40% of claims with losses.