Gymnastics injury compensation claims

If you’ve been injured during a gymnastics lesson and somebody else was at fault, you may be eligible to make a gymnastics injury claim.

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Gymnastics Injury Claims

Gymnastics is a complex and demanding sport that requires strength, balance, flexibility and endurance. It includes a variety of disciplines, such as uneven bars, pommel horse, rings, floor and parallel bars.

While some gymnastics injuries are unavoidable, others can be avoided through adequate instructions and by following the relevant health and safety regulations.

If you or a loved one suffered avoidable harm due to negligence, you may be eligible to file a gymnastics injury claim with the liable party. This could include any physical or emotional abuse during training, leading to psychological trauma.

If your claim is successful, you will be compensated for your pain and suffering and any financial losses you incurred due to your injuries.

To find out if you have a valid gymnastics injury claim, call 0800 470 0474 today for a free consultation with a specialist legal adviser or use our online contact form to request a call back.

Find out if you can claim

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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

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Am I eligible to claim gymnastics injury compensation?

If you were injured during gymnastics training or competition and want to find out if you could be eligible to make a sports injury claim, all you have to do is contact a legal adviser for a free consultation. They will ask you a few questions about your situation to verify whether:

Another party owed you a legal duty of care.
They breached this duty and caused your accident.
You suffered physical or psychological injuries because of their negligence.

A duty of care will be established based on legislation such as the Occupiers Liability Act 1957. Your solicitor will know what laws may apply to your case based on your circumstances. Once liability is established, they will help you gather the evidence you need and start your compensation claim on a no win no fee basis.

Who could be liable for a gymnastics injury claim?

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, various parties could be liable in a gymnastics injury compensation claim, including:

A school, if your child was injured during a PE class due to the school’s failure to provide a safe environment or adequate supervision;
The owner or occupier of a gymnastics club, if they failed to take all reasonable measures to prevent accidents and injuries, such as providing safe training conditions and equipment;
A coach or instructor, if they offered bad advice or instructions, failed to spot correctly or pushed you or your child beyond your ability;
An event organiser, if the injury occurred during a competition or event and the organiser did not ensure that the venue and equipment were safe;
A manufacturer, if the accident was caused by equipment that was faulty or had design defects;
Your local council, if you were injured in a public facility or during a public event and the authorities failed to ensure safe premises;
Another gymnast or participant may also be held liable if your injuries were the result of their negligence or intentional harm.

What evidence do I need to support my claim?

If you want to make a gymnastic accident claim against a club, coach or another party, you will need relevant evidence to prove how the events occurred and how they have affected your life. This could include:

Photographs of the accident scene, including any hazards that contributed to your injuries, taken before anything is moved or replaced;
Video footage, if anyone recorded the gymnastics event or training session where you were injured;
Pictures of any visible injuries and your recovery process;
Medical records and diagnostic tests such as X-rays and CT scans will help prove the severity of your injuries and your recovery prospects;
A copy of an accident report form filed with the responsible party will help prove when and where the accident took place;
Statements from witnesses can help corroborate your version of the events if liability is denied;
Your testimony regarding how the events occurred, the injuries you suffered and the way they affected your daily life;
You will also need financial documents, such as receipts and invoices, to prove related losses and expenses.

Can I claim compensation if I’m injured in an accident at work?

You may also be eligible for compensation if you had an accident as a professional gymnast, coach, or staff member working in a gymnastics facility.

As an employee, your employer owes you a legal duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. They must take all reasonable measures to keep you safe from injuries.

Examples of employer negligence that may lead to an accident at work claim include:

Failure to conduct risk assessments and implement measures to mitigate identified risks;
Inadequate safety equipment, such as safety mats or harnesses;
Broken or defective gymnastics apparatus, such as bars, rings and pommel horses;
Failure to provide sufficient training and supervision;
Failure to maintain a safe working environment that is free of hazards such as slippery floors, cluttered areas, or poor lighting;
Working long hours without adequate rest.

If your employer breached their duty of care towards you and you were injured, you may be able to make a gymnastics accident claim.

What are the most common causes of gymnastics negligence claims?

A gymnastics injury claim can stem from various situations and forms of negligence by the defendant, such as:

Equipment that is broken, worn out, or poorly maintained
Lack of proper supervision from coaches or trainers
Bad advice or inadequate training
Hazardous conditions in the gym, such as wet floors, cluttered areas, or poor lighting
Lack of adequate safety equipment, such as mats or harnesses
Excessive training and fatigue
Physical and emotional abuse

This list is not exhaustive; other similar situations may entitle you to make a gymnastics accident claim as long as you can prove that your injuries were due to another party’s negligence.

What are the most common types of gymnastic injuries?

Gymnastics is a demanding sport that requires strength, flexibility, and coordination. Because of the intense physical activity involved, there is always a risk of injury. However, many injuries can be avoided through proper supervision and safety practices.

Some of the most common injuries sustained in gymnastics accidents include:

Sprains and strains involve the overstretching or tearing of muscles, ligaments and tendons. They can occur anywhere in the body but are most common in the wrists, ankles or knees due to the jumping and landing movements involved in gymnastics.
Fractures can be due to acute trauma from a fall or awkward landing, or they can develop over time due to repetitive stress. Broken bones commonly affect the arms, legs and collarbones and can permanently affect your ability to enjoy gymnastics and other activities.
Dislocations happen when a bone is forced out of its joint, often due to a fall or awkward movement. They are common in the shoulders, knees and elbows and need immediate medical care to ensure the best outcome.
Overuse injuries like bursitis, tendonitis and stress fractures result from repetitive stress and movements without adequate recovery time.
Meniscus tears are knee injuries often caused by twisting or turning motions during landings. They involve the tearing of the cartilage between the femur and tibia and may need surgical repair.
Achilles tendon injuries refer to injuries to the strongest and longest tendon in the body, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Excessive jumping and awkward landings can lead to tendon strains, inflammation or even tears.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries refer to sprains or tears in the knee. They are common in gymnasts due to the twisting, turning, and high-impact landings.
Head injuries can range from minor concussions to severe brain trauma and can be due to falls and collisions during training or competitions.
Spinal cord injuries can be due to falls or broken equipment, and they can have catastrophic consequences, such as paralysis, incontinence and loss of sensation.

Can I make a claim on behalf of my child?

If your child suffered an injury due to a gymnastics accident, you may be eligible to make a claim on their behalf. If the accident was caused by somebody else’s negligence, a solicitor will help you apply to the court to be named as their litigation friend. The court will appoint you if:

You can make fair and competent decisions about the case.
There is no conflict of interest between you and the child (for example, there could be a conflict of interest if you work at the facility where the accident occurred).

Becoming a litigation friend is a long-term commitment that brings several responsibilities. These include:

Making decisions about the claim and any gymnastics injury compensation offers from the defendant.
Approve and sign legal documents.
Pay any fees requested by the court.
Ensure your child attends all medical appointments
Help gather the necessary supporting evidence.
Instruct solicitors and take legal advice.

If you win the gymnastics accident claim, you must attend an Infant Approval Hearing in court. A judge must review and approve any settlement made on behalf of a minor to ensure that it is fair and reasonable and covers all their needs.

If the court approves the settlement, your solicitor can help you set up a personal injury trust to manage the funds for your child until their 18th birthday.

What is the time limit to make a gymnastics injury compensation claim?

According to the Limitation Act 1980, you have three years to make a compensation claim for a sporting injury, starting from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, your case will be time-barred, and you will lose your chance of compensation.

As a result of this, it is essential to start your injury claim as soon as possible. This will ensure you and any witnesses will better remember the details of the incident and will help your solicitor secure as much evidence as possible to support your gymnastics injury claim.

There are a few exceptions to this rule:

You’re eligible to make a child injury claim at any time before their 18th birthday, no matter when the accident took place.
If the injured party is an adult who has suffered a brain injury or another condition affecting their mental capacity, the time limit is suspended. In this case, a litigation friend could claim on their behalf at any time.
If you lost a loved one due to a gymnastics injury, you have up to three years after their death to make an accident compensation claim.

How much compensation can I claim for a gymnastics injury?

The amount of compensation awarded for a gymnastics accident claim will differ from case to case, depending on several factors. These include the circumstances of the accident, the injuries suffered as a result and their impact on the injured party. Your solicitor will work hard to ensure you receive the maximum amount possible, which will be made up of two types of damages:

General damages include compensation for the physical injuries and their subjective effects, such as:

Physical pain and suffering
Physical and mental impairment
Scarring and disfigurement
Loss of consortium or companionship
Loss of ability to engage in previous activities
Reduced quality of life
Loss of a unique career

Special damages cover financial losses and expenses incurred due to the incident, such as:

Private medical care, prescriptions and hospital-related costs
Lost wages due to time off work
Care and assistance during recovery
Adaptations to your home or vehicle to support a disability

The award for special damages is calculated based on evidence such as receipts, payslips and medical bills. General damages are based on the guidelines from the Judicial College.

Below are some examples of potential compensation awards for various injuries. You can use our compensation calculator to find out how much your injury claim could be worth.

£8,870 to £46,900 for an injury to the Achilles tendon
£23,430 to £47,810 for a moderately severe arm injury with substantial recovery
£47,320 to £196,450 for a severe back injury with permanent effects or disability
£18,700 to £52,550 for a moderate head injury that could have some mild long-term effects
£31,960 to £117,410 for a severe knee injury causing permanent disability

Will my solicitor offer me a No Win No Fee service?

If you are entitled to claim compensation for a gymnastics injury, the solicitors we work with will help you proceed on a no win no fee basis. Under this agreement, you will not have to pay any legal fees upfront, and you will not risk any financial losses.

If the case is successful, your solicitor will receive a fee of up to 25% of your settlement. If the case fails, you do not have to pay them a single penny.

For further peace of mind, you will also be covered by After the Event (ATE) insurance. This type of legal expenses insurance will cover all the litigation costs if the claim is unsuccessful, including:

Medical reports
Expert witness fees
Court fees
Paralegal and other staff time
Printing and copying paperwork
The defendant’s solicitors and expenses

If you feel you may have a valid gymnastics injury claim, please contact us by calling 0800 470 0474 or entering your details here. A friendly legal adviser will assess your case for free and will answer any questions that you may have.