Sports Law • Risk Management

katharine's blog

Avoiding Swimming Injuries

It’s hot out there for most of the country and so many people are substituting exercise on dry land for the swimming pool, lake or ocean. Swimming is often touted as a no impact exercise with little to no risk of injury. However, swimming laps may cause repetitive use injuries, particularly in shoulders.

8 Easy Steps for Addressing Trip Hazards and Preventing Broken Hips

On Saturday, I was looking forward to swimming a mile at my favorite lap pool. To my surprise, I opened the door that separates the women’s shower from the pool and immediately tripped over a hazard that was right in front of the door. There were 2 cones (blue, not orange) stacked and placed in front of the door! I picked up the cones and put them off to the side about 5 feet from the door. Shaken, I walked up to the lifeguard and a swim instructor and told them that I had tripped over cones that had been placed in front of the door. I was told that I should tell the front desk. I limped away to reserve my lane with a kickboard and was surprised that no one inquired as to whether I might be hurt or whether an incident report might be necessary.

University Football Player Violates Airline Dress Code

DeShon Marman, a 20 year old University of New Mexico football player refused to pull up his pants, which were below his buttocks and revealing his boxer shorts, upon the request of a US Airways employee. This led to Marman’s being escorted off the plane and arrested. Adding to his troubles, Marman allegedly injured the arresting officer. US Airways, like many other airlines, has a dress code. If your team’s athletes travel to and from games by airplane, they should be instructed to adhere to applicable dress requirements.

June 3, 2011: Is There Really a Need for Sports and Recreation Risk Management?

About a month ago, the ten o’clock news just reported that a hiker fell 150 feet to his death, a 3 year old drowned, and an elderly lady was killed in a traffic accident. Film footage was then shown of the March 11, 2011 Japan tsunami. These stories are just an example of a typical day of news anywhere one might be in the world. Such stories also illustrate the importance that every sport and recreation organization must put on risk management. To do otherwise will necessarily increase accidents, injuries, and reduce the chance that an organization will effectively respond to a disaster.

May 31, 2011: Part I: Terrorism and the Olympics

I just had the pleasure of speaking on this subject at the Conference on Law, Policy andthe Olympic Movement at Ithaca College London. This is the first of several blogs that provide a portion of my paper and speech, entitled: The Olympic Games Post 9/11: Ramping up Security in Response to Severe Threats of Terrorism.

May 25, 2011: Tornadoes Pose Risk to Sport and Recreation Participants

The death toll from tornadoes this spring has been high. More than 300 people have been reported dead from tornadoes that struck the South and Midwest. Sport and recreation organizers should pay close attention to this as tornadoes can strike facilities and outdoor venues quickly and with little or no warning. Although the peak tornado season for the southern states goes from March through May, the northern states risk tornadoes primarily from the late spring through early summer. Since tornadoes generally occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., when many sport practices and games are taking place, safety plans should be in place.