Sports injury claims

Penningtons Manches Cooper’s personal injury team advises individuals who have sustained injuries during sports or leisure activities. We handle a wide range of sports injury claims, including cases involving participants, spectators and employees at gyms, clubs, or other sports venues. Where an accident could have been avoided and was caused by someone else’s negligence, we provide advice on whether you may be able to claim compensation.

Expert advice from our sports injury solicitors

Not all sports injuries lead to a claim. Many sporting activities carry an associated risk, and some injuries are simply accidental. However, when sports-related injuries result from poorly maintained premises, faulty sports equipment, inadequate supervision, or dangerous behaviour from other participants, a sports injury compensation claim may be possible. In some cases, employers or event organisers may be at fault for failing to meet health and safety requirements or provide appropriate training and protective equipment.

Claims may also involve incidents where a personal trainer provided bad advice, a sportsperson was injured due to inadequate maintenance of exercise machines, or a spectator at a sporting event was hurt due to unsafe ground conditions. We also advise on snow sports injury claims, horse riding accidents, and road traffic collisions involving cyclists. In every case, the circumstances must be assessed carefully to determine whether a duty of care was breached and which organisation was at fault.

We consider whether the party involved carried specific liability insurance, and had a legal responsibility to keep the injured person safe during their sporting activity. Factors such as lack of mental capacity, the presence of deliberate assault, or dangerous ground conditions can also be relevant in sports injury negligence claims. Our role is to examine the facts, review accident reports and witness statements, and advise on the appropriate route to seek compensation.

A diverse team who show a high level of empathy whilst clearly knowing their subject very well.

We understand the financial issues that serious injuries can create. Where possible, we will advise on bringing a no win, no fee sports accident claim under a conditional fee agreement, to limit upfront legal fees and financial risk. We also explain the relevant time limits that apply to each case and what evidence is needed to support a personal injury compensation claim.

If you have suffered a sports injury and believe someone else was at fault, contact our personal injury solicitors to make a claim. We offer initial consultations to assess whether you may be able to claim compensation and advise on the likely damages involved.

How we help our clients

Case assessments for individuals seeking to make a sports injury compensation claim

Legal advice on sports injury negligence claims involving poor maintenance, faulty equipment, or inadequate supervision

Support in gathering medical reports, accident records, and witness statements

Guidance on employer liability, event organiser duties, and claims against local councils

Advice on how much compensation may be available based on injuries sustained

Assistance with the claims process, including communication with the insurance company

Help with preparing documentation under a no win, no fee agreement, where appropriate

Representation in sports injury claims involving serious or long-term harm

Useful resources

Funding a personal injury claim

Making a personal injury claim

Those representing me showed a strong awareness of my injury and the effects on my life, which was reflected in the way they conducted my case.

The team offers a high level of expertise and client-focused guidance. From the beginning, contact and engagement has been professional, caring and comprehensive.

The team are prompt and clear with their knowledge, and explain things easily and in a way that demonstrates deep understanding of the processes involved.

The whole team is superb and works well together. The level of expertise is excellent.

Leading practice, well known for its expertise in catastrophic injury cases, particularly matters arising from RTAs. Handles a range of claims pertaining to fatal accidents, head and spinal injuries and amputations.

Recent work highlights

Motorcycle racer’s catastrophic injury

Representing a well-known motorcycle racer catastrophically injured in a TT race. Liability has been admitted and we are gathering UK-based evidence for the payout of his claim.

Multi-million pound spinal injury award

Winning a multi-million pound damages award for a young man who was left unable to walk after sustaining a life-changing spinal cord injury due to a cycling accident.

Settlement for yoga class negligence

Recovering damages following receipt of medical evidence for a young female client who sustained a back injury due to negligent instruction by a teacher in a yoga class.

Good return for tennis court injury

Helping a female teaching assistant to recover £250,000 in damages for injuries sustained at work while helping in a PE class. The lesson took place on a disused tennis court which was made of a concrete-like material and had a very hard and slippery surface.

Damages for marathon runner after dog attack

Obtaining a settlement for a female marathon runner who was chased by a dog while she was out training and sustained serious bite injuries and scarring. The owner was not watching the dog despite the fact that it was not on a lead.

Claim by Paralympic athlete against employer

Settling a claim by a wheelchair-dependent employee whose employer failed to provide a suitable workspace with turning room and clear access. She fell as a result and the injuries ended her Paralympic training.

Crash on motorcycle track day

Acting for an experienced motorcyclist who was seriously injured during a track day after being clipped by another rider. The case was complicated by issues over both the actions of the other participant and the track layout.

Crash on motorcycle track day

Case studies

We recovered compensation for our client, a keen cyclist who was training for a competitive triathlon when hit by a car, sustaining serious injuries.

We represented a client who was playing semi-professional football for a local club when he sustained a serious knee injury during a competitive match.

We secured damages for a cyclist badly injured, suffering multiple fractures, as a result of another cyclist’s negligence.

We were approached by the father of a man who had been involved in a significant road accident when a van drove into the rear of his bicycle.

We acted on behalf of a teenage client who sustained injuries in a horse-riding accident. Although she was a novice rider, she was given a spirited polo pony to ride.