If you ask the average person to guess what high school sport leads to the most catastrophic injuries, it’s likely that nine out of ten people would say football. Most would have a hard time believing that cheerleading is actually the most dangerous sport not just for high school students but for college students as well. If your teen has been injured in a cheerleading accident in California, reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas today for a free case evaluation. You may be owed compensation.
Cheerleading accidents are growing at an alarming rate
Of course, cheerleading accidents haven’t always been so common or so serious. It used to be that getting injured while cheerleading was both rare and not generally a huge deal. Back in 1980, there were only about 5,000 cheerleading accidents reported, but if you look at data from just three years later, you’ll see more than 28,000 cheerleading accidents reported.
Cheerleading accidents are getting more serious
Not only are cheerleading accidents becoming more common, they’re also more serious. It’s more common to see a cheerleader with broken bones, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other catastrophic injuries.
Why have cheerleading accidents gotten more serious and more common?
There’s been a lot of research into the reasons behind these stats and it turns out there are actually quite a few reasons. First of all, there are more people getting involved in cheerleading, which means there are going to be more injuries. Next, cheerleading has gone from a sport that was mostly about chanting to a sport that requires incredible coordination and serious gymnastic stunt work.
Since these changes have happened quickly, many coaches don’t know how to protect their athletes or how to know when they’re in trouble. They often lack the level of experience that parents and administrators would demand of another sport. Finally, equipment is often not up to the task. Spring-loaded floors and fall mats can go a long way toward protecting cheerleaders, yet they’re often not included in a school’s budget.
Should you let your teen get involved in cheerleading?
Obviously, this is a personal decision that every parent must make, but at Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we would recommend doing your research if you do decide to let your kid get involved. Find out how experienced the coach is, find out what type of stunts they will be performing, and make sure that the coach knows what to do in the event of an injury.
Call us today if your child has been injured in a cheerleading accident
If your child has been injured as a result of a cheerleading accident then you may have compensation coming your way. If someone else was negligent, then they should be held accountable. The best way to find out what your options are is to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707. We provide free case evaluations and can give you a much better idea of how you can best move forward.
