Statistics collected by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) show that tip-over accidents involving unsecured soccer goals injure more than 200 children in the U.S. each year. In some cases, these accidents may also cause fatalities.
Soccer goalposts are top-heavy objects that can weigh several hundred pounds. When these goals are not anchored to the ground, they can easily tip over and injure goalies or other bystanders. Unsecured soccer goals can even be toppled by a strong gust of wind. For example, a 2-year-old in Nashville, Tennessee was recently killed by a soccer goal that was toppled by wind. Gusts of wind are only one of several reasons why these accidents can happen.
Are There Ways to Prevent Soccer Goal Accidents?
According to the CPSC, soccer goals should remain anchored at all times, even when they are not being used during a game or practice. Soccer goals can be anchored with metal spikes, sandbags and other approved anchors.
The CPSC also maintains that soccer goals should only be used on flat, level surfaces. Soccer goals should also be disassembled and put away once matches have ended at the end of a season. Finally, children should always be supervised by adults if they are playing near portable soccer goals.
When these basic precautions are ignored, society’s most vulnerable members pay the ultimate price. Parents of children who were injured or killed by soccer goal tip overs should reach out to an attorney to explore possible legal options. There are cases where these accidents are caused by negligence. It may be possible to secure damages against the school district, summer camps, athletic program or goal manufacturer.
The Florida personal injury attorneys at Colson Hicks Eidson have extensive experience helping people who were injured by the negligent actions of others. If your child was harmed by an unsecured soccer goal post, then our attorneys could discuss whether you have legal options during a free initial consultation.