The US Open, Sport Injuries and Injury Claims

The 2023 US Open Tennis Championships are officially in full swing. The competition began on August 22nd and will run until September 10th. Every year it feels as if the games are becoming more and more competitive. This year the athletes have been pushing themselves to the absolute limits to prepare. The stakes are high, and some athletes have already overexerted themselves.

Several players including Serena Williams and Bianca Andreescu have opted to drop out of the competition this year due to sport related injuries. These situations are devastating but unfortunately just par for the course for major sporting events. Fans were understandably disappointed but supportive of the athletes’ ultimate decisions to prioritize their health.

Some tennis related injuries like Williams’ are unavoidable and aggravated by factors like age and overexertion.  However, in some rare circumstances, athletes involved in the US Open Tennis Championships have been injured due to gross negligence or a hazardous environment. For instance, in 2015 tennis pro Eugenie Bouchard took a serious fall in a locker room during the US open. This injury forced Bouchard to withdraw from the tournament. After three years of negotiations with the United States Tennis Association, a jury found the U.S.T.A to be 75% at fault for Bouchard’s injury.

Sport injury claims are a subset of personal injury claims that arise when an individual sustains harm while participating in a sporting event or related activity due to someone else's negligence or recklessness. The primary basis for a successful sport injury claim is proving negligence. Negligence involves demonstrating that a duty of care was owed to the injured party, this duty was breached, and the breach directly led to the injury and subsequent damages. In Bouchard’s case, the U.S.T.A neglected to maintain the appropriate safety standards for the locker rooms.

Sport injury claims provide individuals with a means to seek compensation and hold negligent parties accountable for injuries sustained during sports and physical activities. By following the proper steps, gathering evidence, and seeking legal representation, injured individuals can navigate the complexities of the legal process and work towards obtaining the compensation they deserve.

Since Bouchard’s fall the U.S.T.A has amped up its standards for the safety of players and onlookers. Bouchard’s decision to pursue legal action may have contributed to better safety standards for everyone at the championships. Other athletes who decide to pursue legal action can also find relief in knowing that safety standards will be taken more seriously in their respective sports and that they will be properly compensated for their injuries.

If you or your loved one need the services of a personal injury attorney, you can reach out to our firm for a free consultation.