Duties Related To Negligence

FOURTEEN DUTIES RELATED TO NEGLIGENCE LITIGATION
1 [DUTY OF PLAN ] -- This is a comprehensive requirement that transcends all other duties. Inherent in this duty is the need to continually conduct focused analyses of potential hazards and to develop responsive strategies that prevent or reduce the potential for injury and lost in the following areas:
A [COACHING ] competence
B [MEDICAL] screening
C Appropriate activities that consider [AGE ] , material and environmental conditions
D Facility and [EQUIPMENT ] evaluation and improvement
E [INJURY ] response
F [WARNINGS ] to athletes and their families
G [INSURANCE ] of athletes
H Child [ADVOCACY ] in cases of alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA)
I Family [NEGLECT ] or abuse
Plans and policies shouldbe rigorously [IMPLEMENTED ] unless dangerous conditions prevent implementation. Plans should become policy documents and [ UPDATED] regularly by administrators, coaches and experts in specific areas (e.g., equipment, emergency response, etc). Negligence can be alleged when an [INJURY ] loss results from no planning, inadequate planning or when plans are developed but ignored.
2 [DUTYOF SUPERVISE ] -- A coach must be [ PHYSICALLY] present, provide supervision and control of impulsive behavior, [ COMPETENT] instruction, structured practices that are appropriate for the age and maturity of players, prevent foreseeable injuries and respond to injury or trauma in an approved manner. This duty requires supervisors to ensure that [FACILITIES ] are locked and that studentsare denied access when a competent staff member cannot be [PHYSICALLY ] presently to supervise. Supervision responsibilities also pertain to athletics administrators who are expected to be able to [SUPERVISE ] coaching staff members competently. In addition, athletics administrators are expected to supervise contests to ensure that spectators do not create an [UNSAFE ] or disruptiveenvironment. A further extension of this duty is the need to supervise the condition, safe usage, [MAINTENANCE ] and upkeep of equipment and facilities.
3 [DUTY TO ASSES ATHLETES READINESS FOR PRACTICE AND COMPETITION ] -- Athletics administrators and coaches are required to assess the health and [PHYSICAL ] or maturational readiness skills and physical condition of athletes. A progression ofskill development and conditioning improvement should be [ APPARENT] from practice plans. Athletes must also be [MEDICALLY ] screened in accordance with state association regulations before participating in practice or competition. Moreover, some children may require specialized medical [ASSESMENT ] to ascertain the existence of congenital disorders or the existence of a physical conditionthat predisposes the athlete to injury. In addition, injured athletes who require the [SERVICES ] of a physician may not return to practice or competition without written permission of the physician. A new area of concern that may grow from this duty is the difficulty of assessing the readiness of [HANDICAPPED ] children who are referred for practice and competition under the American WithDisabilities Act or the Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. In these cases, it is imperative that medical and [MULTIDISCIPLINARY ] team approval and recommendation be obtained before a handicapped student becomes a candidate for practice and competition.
4 [DUTY TO MAINTAIN ] SAFE PLAYING CONDITIONS -- Coaches are considered trained professionals who possess a [HIGHER ]level of knowledge and skill that permits them to identify [FORESEEABLE ] causes of injury specific to a sport and inherent in defective equipment or hazardous environments. Courts have held athletics supervisors [RESPONSIBLE ] to improve unsafe environments, repair, or remove defective equipment or disallow access to unsafe equipment or environments. The use of sport-specific equipment...