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The Memorial Day weekend brought with it the tragic death of a young man who was killed while participating in a Texas sporting event. The young man’s family has filed a negligence lawsuit against the business that organized the event. While the case is still pending, it has the potential to set a precedent for future cases involving negligent business practices. If you own a business that offers any kind of sporting activity, it’s important to be aware of this case and how it could potentially affect your business.
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The Case of the Falling Jockey
A sport negligence case in Texas is shaking up the world of professional sports. The case, which is still ongoing, involves a jockey who was critically injured when he fell from his horse during a race. The jockey is suing the race track, the horse’s owner, and the horse’s trainer, alleging that they were negligent in their care of the horse. The case is still in the early stages, but it has the potential to set a precedent that could have a major impact on the way businesses operate.
The accident
On February 25, 2017, jockey Tyrone Williams was horseracing at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas. As the 16th race of the evening was beginning, Williams’ horse, Premier Pegasus, was assigned the number 10 post position in the 11-horse field. Soon after the gates opened and the horses began to race, Premier Pegasus got spooked and reared up, causing Williams to fall off.
The lawsuit
In 2009, jockey Debra Thompson was riding a horse named El Duendecillo at a Houston racetrack when the horse suddenly fell, throwing Thompson to the ground. The fall resulted in serious injuries to Thompson, who filed a negligence lawsuit against the track’s operators.
The case went to trial, and a jury found in favor of Thompson, awarding her damages of $1.2 million. The track’s operators appealed the verdict, but in 2012, the appeals court upheld the jury’s decision.
The case is significant because it shows that businesses can be held liable for injuries sustained by employees while engaging in recreational activities. If your business offers any type of recreation or athletic activity – whether it’s a company-sponsored softball team or an employee discount at a local gym – it’s important to understand your legal risks and take steps to protect your business.
What Does This Mean for Businesses?
The case of Tarrant County v. Broussard, set to be heard by the Texas Supreme Court, could have a big impact on how businesses in Texas are held liable for negligence. The case revolves around a man who was injured while playing flag football at a corporate event. The man’s team was not properly protected from the other team and he ended up with a serious injury.
The potential for increased regulation
The recent case of a high school football player in Texas who sustained a severe spinal injury has brought renewed attention to the issue of sports safety, and the potential for increased regulation of school athletic programs.
The case has also raised questions about the liability of businesses that sponsor or host sporting events. In the Texas case, the family of the injured player has filed a lawsuit against the school district, alleging that the district was negligent in its supervision of the football program.
The lawsuit is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen how it will ultimately be resolved. However, the case highlights the potential risks that businesses face when they are involved with sponsoring or hosting sporting events.
There are a number of ways in which businesses can be held liable in cases involving injuries sustained during sporting events. For example, businesses may be held liable for negligence if they fail to provide adequate safety equipment or if they fail to properly maintain equipment. Businesses may also be held liable if they do not properly train staff members who are responsible for supervising athletes.
In addition, businesses may be held liable under state laws that impose a duty on business owners to take reasonable steps to protect customers from foreseeable risks of harm. These laws, known as premises liability laws, vary from state to state but generally require business owners to take reasonable steps to keep their premises safe from hazards.
The recent Texas case underscores the importance of taking precautions to avoid liability in cases involving injuries sustained during sporting events. Businesses that sponsor or host sporting events should consult with an experienced attorney to assess their legal risks and determine what steps they can take to protect themselves from liability.
The need for increased safety measures
In the world of business, one of the biggest concerns is always liability. Businesses want to limit their liability in order to protect themselves from costly lawsuits. This is why businesses carry insurance, and why they often require employees to sign waivers of liability. But what happens when something goes wrong despite all of these measures? This is what happened in a recent case out of Texas, where a young man was injured while participating in a sport at a business. The young man’s family has now sued the business, alleging that it was negligent in not providing a safe environment.
This case highlights the need for businesses to take extra care in ensuring that their premises are safe for customers and employees. It also underscores the importance of having proper insurance coverage in place. If your business is sued for negligence, you will need to have adequate insurance coverage to protect yourself financially. Be sure to speak with your insurance agent about your coverage and make sure that you are properly protected.
The possibility of higher insurance rates
The case is still working its way through the courts, but if the jury ultimately rules in the plaintiff’s favor, it could have a ripple effect on businesses across Texas—and potentially the country. The case centers on a high school football player who was paralyzed from the neck down after he was injured during a game. The plaintiff alleges that the school district and the company that manufactured the football helmet he was wearing were negligent in their duty to protect him from injuries.
If the jury finds in favor of the plaintiff, it could set a precedent for similar cases in the future. This could lead to more businesses being sued for negligence, which would in turn lead to higher insurance rates for all businesses—not just those in the Texas high school football industry.
So what does this mean for your business? If you’re located in Texas, or if you do business with any Texas-based companies, it’s important to pay attention to this case. If the ruling goes against the defendants, it could have a major impact on your business.
