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Fall Sports and the Risks Behind “Friday Night Lights”
From Friday night football games to weekend cheer competitions, Michigan families fill the stands every fall — trusting schools and coaches to keep kids safe.
Sports are an important part of student life, teaching teamwork, discipline, and resilience. But with the excitement of the season comes a growing risk — and not all injuries are “just part of the game.” Each year, thousands of Michigan students play football, cheerleading, soccer, and cross country. Unfortunately, many suffer serious injuries that could have been prevented through better supervision, safer equipment, or proper adherence to medical protocols.
While sprains and bruises are expected, injuries like concussions, spinal trauma, broken bones, and heat-related illness often stem from avoidable negligence — such as ignored warning signs, unsafe facilities, or unqualified supervision.
Student safety isn’t optional. Michigan schools, coaches, and athletic organizations have a legal duty to protect athletes by enforcing safety standards, maintaining equipment, and responding appropriately to medical concerns.
When those responsibilities are ignored, and a young athlete is seriously injured, families have legal rights under Michigan law to seek accountability and financial recovery.
At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM), our attorneys have decades of experience representing injured students and their families. As trusted school sports injury lawyers in Michigan, we help clients pursue justice when negligence, unsafe facilities, or inadequate supervision lead to preventable harm.
When Waivers Don’t Bar School Sports Injury Claims
Nearly every school or league requires parents to sign a liability waiver before a student can participate in sports. These documents often look intimidating — suggesting that the school or coach can’t be held responsible for injuries. But under Michigan law, that’s not entirely true.
A waiver cannot excuse gross negligence or reckless conduct. Schools, coaches, and athletic programs can still be held liable if they:
- Fail to provide proper supervision or training.
- Fail to maintain safe equipment, fields, or facilities.
- Ignore known hazards or medical risks.
For example, if a football player sustains a concussion after repeated helmet-to-helmet hits that coaches failed to address, the school may be responsible for ignoring safety protocols — even if a waiver was signed.
Michigan courts look at the facts of the case, not just the wording of the waiver. Was the injury foreseeable? Did the staff respond appropriately? Were known risks ignored?
Understanding who owed a duty of care and how that duty was breached is key to evaluating a school sports injury claim. The goal isn’t to punish schools for honest mistakes — it’s to ensure accountability when preventable negligence causes lasting harm.
The Legal Duties of Coaches, Schools, and Leagues
Michigan law places specific responsibilities on coaches, athletic departments, and school districts to protect student athletes from foreseeable dangers. These include:
- Proper supervision during practices, games, and conditioning drills.
- Instruction in safe techniques and proper use of protective gear.
- Inspection and maintenance of fields, bleachers, mats, and gym floors to prevent falls or equipment failures.
- Hiring and training qualified staff, including certified athletic trainers and first responders.
- Strict enforcement of safety rules, including halting dangerous plays or stunts.
When these duties are ignored, the consequences can be devastating.
Example: A cheer coach allows advanced stunts without mats or spotters. A flyer falls and suffers a severe back injury. That’s not an “accident” — it’s negligent supervision.
These obligations apply not only to schools but also to youth leagues and club teams, even when they’re not school-sponsored. Every organization that oversees young athletes must prioritize safety through proper staffing, protocols, and facility upkeep.
The goal is not to eliminate sports — it’s to make them safer by holding accountable those who cut corners on supervision or safety.
Concussion Protocols and Medical Oversight
One of the most critical areas of school sports safety is concussion management. Michigan’s Sports Concussion Law (Public Acts 342 & 343) lays out strict requirements for schools, coaches, and trainers:
- Annual concussion awareness training for all athletic staff and volunteers.
- Immediate removal of any player suspected of a concussion or head injury.
- Written medical clearance from a qualified healthcare professional before an athlete can return to play.
When these laws aren’t followed, schools and coaches can be held liable for negligent medical management.
A growing concern is second-impact syndrome, where an athlete sustains another head injury before the brain has healed — sometimes leading to permanent brain damage or death.
Example: A high school soccer player is struck in the head, reports dizziness, but is told to “shake it off” and keep playing. Hours later, the student collapses from a severe brain injury. In this case, the school’s failure to follow concussion protocol could constitute negligence under Michigan law.
At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we partner with medical professionals and athletic safety experts to analyze how and why these failures occur — and to help families recover compensation for medical care, long-term therapy, and the pain of a preventable injury.
Evidence Parents Should Save After a School Sports Injury
When a student athlete is hurt, the most important thing parents can do — after seeking medical care — is to document everything. Early, detailed evidence strengthens any potential claim and helps ensure schools and athletic programs are held accountable if negligence played a role.
Key evidence to preserve includes:
- Incident reports or emails from coaches, athletic directors, trainers, or school officials.
- Photos or videos of the field, gym, bleachers, or any equipment that may have caused or contributed to the injury.
- Medical records from the emergency room, pediatrician, or neurologist detailing the diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Witness statements from teammates, spectators, or anyone who saw the injury occur.
- Social media posts, text messages, or online photos that show the incident or its aftermath.
Parents should also write down everything they remember — including dates, symptoms, and every conversation with school staff, trainers, or coaches. These details can become critical if questions about the school’s response arise later.
Timing matters. Michigan schools and municipalities often have strict notice deadlines — sometimes as short as 120 days — for injury-related claims. Waiting too long to report or gather evidence can make it harder to pursue compensation, even in cases of clear negligence.
That’s why it’s important to contact an attorney early. The right legal team can help ensure evidence is preserved, deadlines are met, and your child’s rights are protected every step of the way.
How Liss, Shapero & Mitnick Helps Injured Student Athletes
At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM), we understand that a sports injury can impact more than just a season — it can affect a student’s education, emotional health, and future opportunities. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping families recover financially and emotionally when negligence leads to preventable harm.
Our process includes:
- A free case consultation and detailed review of your documentation and communications with the school.
- A thorough investigation into whether negligence, improper supervision, or defective equipment caused or contributed to the injury.
- Collaboration with medical and athletic safety experts to analyze how concussion laws, supervision policies, or training protocols were violated.
- Strategic negotiation or litigation against schools, athletic organizations, insurance carriers, or equipment manufacturers when necessary.
With over 25 years of experience handling personal injury and negligence cases across Berkley, Metro Detroit, and throughout Michigan, LSM has built a strong reputation for integrity, compassion, and results.
Our philosophy is simple: we treat every client like family. When you call LSM, you get a team that genuinely cares about your child’s recovery — and works tirelessly to make sure your story is heard.
Protecting Michigan’s Student Athletes
Sports should be about teamwork, growth, and community pride — not preventable injuries. While bumps and bruises come with the game, harm caused by unsafe equipment, poor supervision, or ignored concussion symptoms should never be accepted as “part of sports.”
Liability waivers don’t erase accountability. Michigan schools and athletic programs have a legal duty to protect student athletes, follow safety protocols, and respond quickly when injuries occur. When they fail, families have the right to demand answers — and justice.
At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we don’t just take your case — we take your story. Our firm is here to guide you through every step, from investigation to recovery, so you can focus on helping your child heal.
Has your child been injured during a school or youth sports event in Michigan?
The attorneys at Liss, Shapero & Mitnick have been standing up for injured students and families for more than 25 years.
📞 Call 248-584-1300 or toll-free 1-855-LISS-LAW (547-7529) for a free consultation.
🌐 Visit lsmlawyers.com to learn more about your rights and speak with an experienced school sports injury lawyer in Michigan.