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Athletic Trainer Negligence

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An athletic trainer is someone athletes and families are taught to trust. They are expected to recognize injuries, follow safety protocols, and intervene when something is wrong, especially when an athlete is determined to keep playing. When that trust is broken, the impact often reaches far beyond the field or court.

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Athletic trainer negligence can affect an athlete’s health, emotional well-being, and future opportunities. In serious cases, it can lead to permanent injuries or long-term disability. An athletic trainer negligence lawsuit can help families understand what happened, why, and whether legal action may be an option. At Levin & Perconti, we represent injured athletes and families across Chicago and offer clear guidance during an overwhelming time. Call (312) 332-2872 to speak with a member of our team today.

What Qualifies as Athletic Trainer Negligence?

Athletic trainers have a professional duty to act in an athlete’s best interest. That duty includes identifying injuries, following accepted safety standards, and removing athletes from play when continuing would pose a risk.

Certain patterns recur frequently in athletic trainer negligence cases, particularly in school and youth sports settings. These may include:

  • Failing to properly evaluate an injury
  • Ignoring concussion symptoms or return-to-play guidelines
  • Allowing participation despite clear signs of injury
  • Failing to supervise conditioning or training sessions
  • Not responding appropriately to a medical emergency

Injuries That May Worsen Due to Athletic Trainer Negligence

When injuries aren’t fully recognized or are brushed aside, what may have started as a manageable issue can gradually become far more serious. In those situations, athletic trainer negligence may play a role in injuries, including:

  • Worsened Fractures or Sprains: Continued play can turn a treatable injury into one requiring surgery or long-term care.
  • Heat-related Illnesses: Inadequate monitoring during practices can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
  • Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries: Returning to play too soon can result in permanent neurological damage.
  • Spinal or Neck Injuries: Improper handling or delayed response can worsen spinal trauma.
  • Cardiac Emergencies: Failure to recognize warning signs during conditioning or practice can be life-threatening.
  • Chronic or Recurring Injuries: Poor rehabilitation guidance may limit long-term athletic ability.

In Illinois, athletic trainers are required to be licensed before working with athletes. That licensing process is designed to ensure trainers possess the proper education, emergency training, and professional qualifications to respond effectively when injuries occur. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requires licensed athletic trainers to:

  • Complete an accredited athletic training program.
  • Be trained in emergency response, including CPR and AED use
  • Pass a national certification exam
  • Hold an active license and meet ongoing professional requirements

Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence system, which allows responsibility to be shared among multiple parties depending on the circumstances. In sports injury cases, this can include situations where more than one person or organization played a role in decisions about an athlete’s care or return to play.

Who Can Be Held Legally Responsible For Negligence in Sports?

Athletic trainer negligence often occurs within a broader system of decision-making. Understanding who may be legally responsible is often a crucial aspect of a sports injury lawsuit. Depending on what happened, responsibility may extend to:

  • Athletic trainers, for failing to follow safety standards
  • Coaches, for encouraging injured athletes to continue playing
  • Schools or school districts, for inadequate oversight or policies
  • Colleges or universities, including cases involving college sports hazing
  • Sports organizations or facilities, particularly in recreational activity injuries

In many cases, athletic trainer negligence is not an isolated failure but part of a broader breakdown in oversight, communication, or safety policies.

How Athletic Trainer Negligence is Proven

In legal terms, proving negligence means showing that reasonable care was not provided and that the athlete was harmed as a result. This includes:

  • Duty of Care: The athletic trainer was responsible for the athlete’s safety.
  • Breach of Duty: The trainer failed to act reasonably, such as ignoring symptoms or encouraging continued play.
  • Causation: The failure contributed to or worsened the injury.
  • Damages: The athlete experienced measurable harm, such as medical costs or disability.

Medical records, witness accounts, training documentation, and expert opinions often help clarify what occurred. Our attorneys are experienced in reviewing these details and explaining their potential implications for a family considering legal action.

How Our Athletic Trainer Negligence Lawyers Can Help

Athletic trainer negligence claims often follow a process similar to medical malpractice cases, particularly when injuries are serious or long-lasting. These cases require careful review, coordination with medical professionals, and a clear understanding of how decisions made during training or competition affected the athlete’s health. Our team:

  • Reviews incident reports, training conditions, and supervision practices
  • Consults medical experts to assess the full impact of the injury
  • Identifies responsible parties, including schools or organizations, to determine liability
  • Calculates full compensation for long-term consequences

Throughout the process, the focus remains on clear communication, accountability, and supporting families who may be navigating uncertainty, medical concerns, and difficult decisions for the first time.

Compensation in Athletic Trainer Negligence Lawsuits

Compensation in athletic trainer negligence cases depends on the nature of the injury and how it affects an athlete’s life moving forward. In many cases, damages are intended to help families cope with the physical, financial, and long-term consequences of an injury. Potential compensation may include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation and long-term therapy
  • Lost wages or scholarship loss
  • Pain and suffering
  • Reduced athletic career potential
  • Disability or long-term complications

In rare cases involving malicious or intentional conduct, punitive damages may also be available.

Why Work With Our Chicago Athletic Trainer Negligence Lawyers?

Our team has extensive experience holding institutions accountable for preventable harm. Our firm has:

  • Secured a $4.4 million settlement involving a student-athlete who suffered a catastrophic brain injury after being allowed to play despite concussion symptoms
  • Recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured clients
  • Over 400 years of combined legal experience and a long history of handling complex negligence cases
  • Free consultations and no upfront fees

Athletic Trainer Negligence FAQs

The Illinois statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years, but deadlines can vary, and exceptions may apply. Speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible can help clarify how the timeline applies to a specific situation.

Some injuries, particularly those to the brain or spine, can worsen over time. A delayed diagnosis does not automatically prevent a claim.

These concerns are common, but every situation is unique. An attorney can help explain how a claim may be handled while protecting long-term interests.

Legally Reviewed by

Michael F. Bonamarte, IV headshot
Michael F.
Bonamarte, IV
Managing Partner

Since 2005, Michael Bonamarte IV has been a passionate advocate for victims of negligent conduct, corporate malfeasance, and medical malpractice. He has won numerous awards and recognitions, including Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers’ Rising Star. He has presented for the American Association for Justice, the AAJ Nursing Home Litigation Group, the John Marshall Law School, and numerous other legal associations. He regularly lectures at Chicago-area aging organizations about nursing home abuse. His writings have been published by the American Bar Association, the Chicago Daily Bulletin, and numerous other prestigious publications.

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325 N LaSalle Dr Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60654
312-332-2872

Contact Our Chicago Athletic Trainer Negligence Attorneys

If an athletic trainer’s negligence caused you or your child serious harm, you don’t have to handle it alone. Our Chicago sports injury attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. There is no cost to start, and no fee unless we win.

For your free consultation, call (312) 332-2872 or contact us online.

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