Incorrect instructions/coaching claims

If you undergo coaching for a sport or visit a personal trainer on a regular basis then you expect them to have a duty of care towards you. They should ensure that any instructions or training that they give you is within your capabilities and not likely to endanger your health.

Relationship between coach and player

They should instruct you in the correct use of equipment or how to perform a technique safely and easily so that you are able to use this to the best of your advantage.

This relationship should be professional and designed to ensure that the coach or trainer gets the best out of their player/client, and that the player/client performs to the highest standard. The coach/trainer is rewarded by seeing their protégé achieving their desired goal.

The relationship between a coach or personal trainer and client is based upon trust. The client expects the coach or trainer to help them to reach a particular fitness goal, whether that is to lose weight, improve their fitness or run a marathon.

Likewise, anyone who attends a coaching session, e.g. football, expects to be shown the correct techniques, given encouragement where necessary and sympathy if things do not go quite as expected.

But if any of this breaks down or is flawed then it can result in an injury which may have been preventable. If the person being trained or coached sustains an injury which is not their fault then they can consider making a claim for compensation.

Making a claim for compensation for incorrect instructions/coaching

Sports injury claims such as these are complex situations which require the services of a lawyer or solicitor who has experience and understanding of these claims. They will be aware of the complex issues involved and will be able to advise you accordingly.

He or she should handle your claim with tact and sensitivity and an awareness of the effect this injury has had upon you and your family. This is particularly important if you are the parent of a child who has been injured in this way.

Sports injuries can range from mild through to serious and in the latter case, can persist for a long period of time. In some cases it results in the person affected having to give up their sport completely.

For an adult it can mean having to take time off work to recover or paying out for specialist treatment such as physiotherapy. This loss of earnings (and possibly pension rights) impacts upon their income level and overall standard of living. It can result in financial hardship.

If a child is involved then they may be left with a chronic injury which continues to affect them into adulthood. This injury affects their quality of life and later on, their choice of careers.

The lawyer or solicitor will assess your claim to see if there are suitable grounds for this claim and if you have enough evidence to support it. What will help your case is if you have reported your injury to your GP and have taken photographs of the actual injury.

Submit any evidence you have which you feel may aid your claim.

For more information visit our making a claim for compensation section.

Time limit for claiming compensation for incorrect instructions/coaching

There is a 3 year deadline for making a personal injury claim which starts from the date of the original accident or illness.

But check first with your lawyer or solicitor. They should make you aware of this deadline so that you submit your application well within it.