Are Soccer Goals Dangerous for Kids?

Posted On August 16, 2017 In Personal Injury

Afterschool sports like football and lacrosse receive a lot of media attention because they can put young athletes at risk of suffering traumatic brain injuries. However, soccer is another sport that may cause catastrophic injuries and deaths. In some cases, unsecured soccer goals are the culprit.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an average of 200 children per year are injured by tip-over accidents involving unsecured soccer goals. Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and organ damage are all possible outcomes caused by these accidents. The CPSC also claims that tip-over accidents involving soccer goals kill an average of one child per year.

It is a common misconception that soccer goals are heavy objects that cannot easily fall over. However, the weight is distributed at the top of soccer goals, meaning even a strong gust of wind can lead to a tip-over accident. In fact, almost a dozen soccer goal tip-over accidents that have occurred since the 1970s were caused by wind.

Other accidents were caused roughhousing on the goals. Several other accidents occurred because people climbed on or tried to lift the goals. However, this does not necessarily mean these individuals are to blame for the accidents. It is unreasonable to assume that young athletes would have any understanding of why soccer goals can be dangerous. This is why young athletes should always be supervised by adults during practices, scrimmages or games.

Are Soccer Goal Post Injuries Preventable?

The CPSC has published guidelines that can help prevent soccer goal tip-over accidents. According to the CPSC, soccer goals should always be anchored to the ground. This can be done by using stakes, sandbags or other approved counterweights. In addition, the CPSC recommends only using soccer goals on level surfaces. If possible, soccer goals should be chained to nearby structures or fences. Finally, these goals should be disassembled for seasonal storage.

Parents whose children were injured by soccer goal tip-over accidents may be able to file lawsuits for damages. School districts, summer camps, afterschool athletic programs and goal manufacturers may be responsible for these accidents.

If your child was injured during a tip-over accident, then it is important to discuss legal options with an attorney. The catastrophic injuries caused by soccer goal accidents may require a lifetime of specialized medical care and other resources. For example, a person with a spinal cord injury may require rehabilitation services and home modifications. A personal injury lawsuit may help cover some of these expenses.

The Texas personal injury attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC can help parents learn whether they have options to file a lawsuit.