Should Coaches be Responsible for Heat-Related Injuries?

Phoenix Arizona Injured Kids Attorney

The parents of a Kentucky high school football player who died several days after a practice, due to heat-related injuries, are suing the coach.

Surely, the coach is grieving and will probably carry this with him for the rest of his life, but is he at fault? In the past there hasn’t been a coach criminally charged in any heat exposure death to a player. However, one has to wonder to what extent is it okay to continue to push these kids in atmospheres that have at times escalated to dangerous conditions, and should a coach, being aware of this, be held accountable?

As each of these athletes are unique so are their stories, and as this coach in particular has been indicted on one count of reckless homicide , we shall see if his peers feel whether or not he should be held accountable.

At Zachar & Associates, we handle civil matters (i.e. claims, lawsuits), not criminal matters. We believe that the circumstance of a young athlete dying under these conditions is very disturbing. Through media sources, we have heard more about these types of incidents in recent years. To the extent that an injury or death does not result from a purely unknown medical condition, it seems that these incidents are quite preventable, with the use of a little common sense. Under Arizona law, we call this “reason”. The law is designed to hold civilly responsible those who have responsibilties to our young athletes, whose unreasonable behavior results in injuries, or death.

Living in Arizona, we have to be especially careful when it comes to heat-related injuries. Summer is quickly approaching so please remember to make sure your children are well hydrated and help them to be aware of warning signs from their own bodies. We are all concerned when a child is injured and we all want to make sure that we prevent the same thing happening to another child, especially when the injured child is our own. If your child is injured and you believe it is due to the negligence or carelessness of another, seek legal counsel.