Rhode Island and the New England area in general have some of the best and most scenic golf courses in the nation. Golf is also a hugely popular sport here. While we often think of golf as a non-contact sport, we forget that it can be quite dangerous. Accidents involving errant golf balls and flying club heads are common occurrences and could result in serious or even fatal head injuries. These injuries could lead to expensive medical bills, which could lead to golf course injury lawsuits.
What Types of Golf Course Injuries Can Be Sustained?
According to a study by Golf Digest, nearly 40,000 golfers are admitted to emergency rooms each year after being injured at play, mostly by errant golf balls and flying club heads. In 2010, the magazine conducted a test with a dummy. The test data indicated that when a golf ball hits someone, the force of impact was about a tenth of what would be expected in a head-on crash. However, the impact at that speed was enough to cause a concussion, bleeding in the brain or for a child or a person with osteoporosis, a bone bruise or even a skull fracture.
The location of impact is also important. If the golf ball hit a person in the face, they could suffer from broken bones, lacerations or even serious eye injuries. Studies have also found that newcomers to the game, particularly children, are most at risk for injury. In 1997, according to one study, nearly 25 percent of all golf-related injuries involved children ages 5 to 14. A recent study from Scotland reported that 40 percent of all sport-related head injuries among children were related to golf.
Who is Responsible For My Golf Course Injury?
So under what circumstances can an injured person hold someone responsible for the injuries he or she suffers in the golf course? In many sports injury cases, the law protects the person responsible for inflicting the injury through a legal principle known as “assumption of risk.” This means that the injured party automatically assumes a level of risk (and therefore responsibility) when he or she participates in the activity.
However, this does not mean that the victim has no right to compensation for his or her injuries, particularly if the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness. The key to have a successful golf ball injury claim is to be able to prove negligence. For example, if a golfer makes a shot without proper warning, he or she may be held responsible for any injuries caused. Similarly, if a golf club fails to spell out or enforce proper safety rules for its players and an errant ball hits and injures someone, the club or the operator of the facility could be held responsible for the injuries that occur as a result.
Contact an Experienced Rhode Island Golf Course Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you know has suffered a golf course injury, contact one of our experienced Rhode Island golf course injury lawyers. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering, among other losses. No fees are received unless you win your case. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call us toll free at 1-800-992-6878. You may also fill out our contact form online.
Source: http://www.golfdigest.com/story/getting-hit-smith-061999