Your first step should be to contact our personal injury team. We'll discuss the details of your injury and the effect it’s had on your life. From there, we’ll explain whether you can claim and offer advice on what you might expect if you decide to go ahead.

If you choose to pursue your claim, we’ll start collecting all the evidence that will demonstrate who was liable for your accident and make a case for you to receive compensation. This could include medical records, photographs of the accident scene and testimonies from witnesses.

When we’re confident that we’ve built the strongest possible case, we'll contact the party we believe is responsible for your injury. This could be a sports facility, equipment manufacturer or another player. This is where we formally notify them about your intention to claim compensation for your injuries.

At this stage, the defendant might admit fault, and we can begin discussions about your compensation. If they challenge or dispute the claim, we may need to take the matter to trial, where we’ll have an opportunity to present your case before a judge.

Most personal injury claims are settled without needing to go to court. If legal proceedings are needed, it doesn’t mean you have a lower chance of success. You can count on our expertise to present your case compellingly and defend your rights every step of the way, to make sure you have the best shot at a positive outcome.

Once your claim is successful, we'll make sure the responsible party fulfils their obligation, compensating you for both the physical and emotional suffering you've experienced.

There are many types of injury that can result from a sporting accident, and every sport poses different risks. At Switalskis, our expert solicitors have a wealth of experience in all of the following types of claims:

• football
• motor racing
• rugby
• extreme sports
• sky-diving
• boxing
• gym accidents

If you wish to make a sports injury claim, you must prove that negligence was responsible for your injury. In each of the above cases, negligence can take different forms - it may be a failure to provide necessary safety equipment, for example, or to behave responsibly during a match. As such, it's crucial to work with a personal injury solicitor who understands the nuances of each sport, the types of negligence that can occur, and the rights of anyone who is injured to claim compensation.

There are several actions that can be considered negligence in sports injury compensation claims. If you were injured in a sports accident and you believe that any of the following factors may have been partly responsible, you might be owed compensation.

• Player conduct: If a player acts recklessly or with excessive aggression beyond the accepted norms of the sport, and causes injury to another player, this could be deemed negligent. For example, a late and dangerous tackle in football.
• Assault by a spectator: When playing a spectator sport, there is sometimes a risk of injury caused by a spectator. While this is not negligence so much as it is a criminal act, you may be entitled to make a sports injury compensation claim in these cases.
• Poor advice by a trainer or coach: Coaches and trainers can be found negligent if they fail to provide adequate instructions, proper training, or necessary safety equipment, and this results in injury. For example, if a coach fails to teach safe tackling techniques in rugby, this can lead to an injury that would not be an individual player's fault.
• Refereeing and officiating: Referees and officials have a duty to enforce the rules of the game to protect players. If they fail to do so, and this failure leads to an injury, they could be held liable. For example, not stopping play for a dangerous foul in a contact sport.
• Facilities and equipment: Sports venues and equipment providers must ensure that their facilities and equipment are safe for use. Negligence might be claimed if an injury occurs due to unsafe conditions or faulty equipment. For example, the venue operator may be responsible if a poorly maintained pitch leads to slips and falls.
• Faulty equipment: sports and gym equipment must be kept in suitable condition and be safe to use. If responsible parties do not effectively maintain them, this can lead to injury and entitle people to compensation. Alternatively, if this equipment was subject to mistakes in manufacturing that caused an accident, Switalskis' product liability solicitors can help you to secure compensation relating to a faulty or defective product.

The expert personal injury solicitors at Switalskis can help you to make a claim, whether for a minor incident or a much more serious injury. No matter your situation, if you have been injured due to someone else's negligence, you may be able to claim compensation. This can help to put things right and support you during your recovery from a sports injury.

Strong evidence is important for building a strong case and improving your chance of receiving compensation. You should make sure you get your injury checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. As well as looking after your health, this will also create a medical record of your injuries, which will be important for supporting your claim. Where possible, you should also take photographs of the injury, the accident location and any hazards or defective equipment.

If anyone witnessed the incident, try to get their contact details if it is safe to do so. We can then reach out to them for a statement to support your claim. If the injury happened at an organised event or sports facility, there may be an official incident report, which could provide further evidence.

It's also important to keep financial records such as receipts, payslips and invoices, especially if you are claiming for lost earnings or medical expenses.

Yes, provided that negligence played a role. Many people assume that taking part in recreational sports means accepting all risks, but this is not always the case. If the injury was caused by unsafe conditions, poorly maintained equipment, inadequate supervision, or another participant acting recklessly, you could be entitled to compensation.

For example, if you were injured at a leisure centre due to unsafe facilities or inadequate instruction from staff, the organisation responsible for the premises could be liable. Similarly, if you were hurt during a recreational game because another player acted with unnecessary aggression, you may have a claim. Every case is different, so seeking legal advice can help determine whether negligence was involved and whether a claim is likely to succeed.

This is often necessary when the injured person is unable to pursue legal action themselves. If the injured party is a child under 18, a parent or guardian can act as their 'litigation friend' to manage the claim on their behalf. The compensation awarded will usually be held in a court-controlled fund until the child turns 18.

If the injured person lacks mental capacity, a close relative or legal representative may be able to make a claim for them under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. In these cases, there is usually no time limit for bringing a claim. If you believe a loved one is entitled to compensation but cannot pursue it themselves, our team can guide you through the legal process to ensure the claim is handled correctly.

Many sports injury claims are resolved through negotiation, rather than going through court. If liability is accepted and a fair settlement can be reached, the process can be completed without the need for a hearing. However, if the responsible party disputes the claim or the compensation offered is insufficient, court proceedings may be necessary.

If your case does go to court, the team at Switalskis will handle all legal preparations, gather supporting evidence and represent you throughout the process. Even if proceedings are issued, many cases are settled before reaching trial. The aim is always to secure the best outcome with minimal stress, and we will take on the vast majority of the work - so you can focus on your recovery.

There are no fixed statistics for the success rate of sports injury claims, as outcomes vary depending on the strength of each case. However, claims with clear evidence of negligence, medical records supporting the injury and financial documentation for losses tend to have a higher success rate. Having legal representation will also significantly increase the likelihood of receiving compensation, as solicitors can build a strong case and negotiate on your behalf.

Insurance companies and defending parties are more likely to challenge claims that lack supporting evidence, or where liability is unclear. Seeking expert legal advice early on will maximise your chances of success and ensure all necessary documentation is gathered to support your claim.

A 'no win, no fee' agreement, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement, allows you to make a claim without paying upfront legal costs. This means there is no financial risk for you if you decide to seek compensation. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay any money. If your claim is successful, your solicitor's fees will be deducted from the compensation awarded. When you work with us, we will let you know exactly how much this fee will be, right from the start, so you will always know where you stand.

If you're not happy with your current solicitor, you have the right to switch. Changing solicitors is more common than you might think, and we make the process straightforward. If you feel your case isn’t being handled properly, communication is lacking or you’re not getting the support you need, we can step in.

We’ll review your case, explain your options and handle the transition to make sure there’s no disruption to your claim.