Sports injury claims

Sports should be an enjoyable and healthy part of life, but accidents can happen to anybody. However, when those accidents are caused by negligence, unsafe facilities, faulty equipment, or poor supervision, you may be entitled to compensation under Scottish law.

At Allan McDougall Solicitors, our specialist personal injury team supports people who’ve suffered sports-related injuries. And whether an injury occurs during organised matches, training sessions, or gym activities, or at private or public sports venues, we’re here to help.

We also work on a client-first, no-win, no-fee basis, so you can focus on recovery while we handle the legal process.

What counts as a sports injury claim?

A sports injury claim can be made if you’re harmed in circumstances where reasonable safety measures would have prevented the accident. You don’t need to be a professional athlete, and claims can involve injuries at schools, colleges and universities, community clubs, gyms, leisure centres, and both public and private sports facilities.

Common causes of sports injury claims include:

• Negligent coaching or supervision
• Unsafe playing surfaces
• Faulty, poorly maintained, or unsuitable sports equipment
• Inadequate safety padding, barriers, or protective gear
• Dangerous gym machinery
• Poorly managed sports events or overcrowding
• Lack of medical response when needed.

These injuries can range from sprains and fractures to serious head, spinal, or joint injuries that require long-term treatment or rehabilitation.

Who is responsible?

Responsibility depends on how and where the incident happened. In Scotland, duty of care laws (PDF) mean different parties can be held accountable when safety standards aren’t met.
This might include:

• Sports clubs or coaches who failed to provide proper training
• Schools or governing bodies that allowed dangerous activities to take place
  
• Gyms, leisure centres, and trampoline parks that didn’t maintain equipment or enforce safety rules
  
• Event organisers who failed to manage crowds or facilities safely
  
• Manufacturers or suppliers of defective sports equipment.

Most compensation is paid by insurers, not individuals, and a claim is usually made against the organisation responsible for the venue, event, or equipment that caused the injury.

What can you claim for?

Sport injury compensation is intended to reflect both the immediate and long-term impact of your injury. Depending on your circumstances, this can include compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
  
• Lost income or reduced earning capacity
  
• Physiotherapy, rehabilitation, counselling, or private healthcare treatment
  
• Travel expenses for hospital or treatment appointments
  
• Specialist equipment or adaptations if mobility is affected
• Support from family or professional carers
  
• Future losses, including pension and career limitations.

Scottish courts will consider previously reported cases and the Judicial College Guidelines as a starting point for valuing pain and suffering. They also apply actuarial methods and the personal injury discount rate (PIDR) when working out future financial losses, such as reduced earnings.

When you can make a claim

Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, you generally have three years from the date of the accident, or from when you became aware of the injury, to make a sports injury claim.

Children have longer, however, and a parent or guardian can claim on their behalf at any time before they turn sixteen. Once they turn sixteen, the three-year time limit begins as above.

Because evidence such as medical records, witness statements, facility reports, or equipment inspections can take time to obtain, it’s advisable to seek legal advice as soon as possible if you feel like you may have grounds for a sports injury claim.

What to do after a sports injury

If you’ve been hurt while taking part in a sport, the following steps can help strengthen your claim:

1. Seek medical attention and keep records of any treatment you receive
   
2. Report the accident to the club, gym, school, or facility where the injury happened
   
3. Take photographs of equipment, playing surfaces, or injuries where possible
   
4. Gather witness details
   
5. Keep receipts for travel, medication, rehabilitation, or lost earnings
   
6. Speak to a personal injury solicitor for advice on your options

How we can help

Allan McDougall Solicitors has decades of experience with personal injury claims, including sports-related accidents. We take a clear, practical approach and explain what evidence is needed, how a claim works, and what compensation you may be entitled to.

We’re also able to negotiate directly with insurance companies on your behalf and work towards the maximum settlement available. Our no-win, no-fee funding arrangements mean there are no upfront costs, either, and you only pay if your claim succeeds. This gives you the space to recover while we handle the legalities.

So, whether your injury happened in organised sport, a public gym, a school setting, or a leisure activity, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.

Contact our personal injury team

If you or someone you know has suffered a sports-related injury, contact Allan McDougall Solicitors for free initial advice. Our specialist team will guide you through the process and support you at every stage of your claim.

Contact us

• Email us
• Call our personal injury claims team free on 0808 560 0872
• Arrange a callback by using our enquiry form

Go back to the previous page

• Personal injury claims
• Our personal injury team
• How to make a personal injury compensation claim
• How to choose a personal injury solicitor
• Claim now
• Personal injury claim calculator
• How claims are valued
• Frequently asked questions
• Types of personal injury claim
• How to sue someone in the Scottish courts
• Recent successes
• Case studies
• Testimonials
• Injury Compensation Alliance

Call free: 0808 560 0872

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