Who Is Liable for Injuries That Take Place on or Around Golf Courses?

 Posted on July 26, 2021 in Personal Injury

While golf is usually not considered to be a dangerous sport, there are many ways that golfers may be injured, and other people on or near golf courses can also suffer harm due to the actions of golfers or other parties. When these injuries occur because of negligence, victims may be able to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. However, some unique legal issues can play a role in these cases, and an experienced attorney can help victims understand their rights and options.

Liability for Golf Course Accidents and Injuries

People who are injured on or around a golf course will need to determine the party or parties responsible for causing them harm and determine whether they have a valid claim for compensation against these parties. Some common golf course injuries include:

• Being struck by a golf ball - After being struck by a golf club, a golf ball can travel at more than 100 miles per hour, and it can strike a person with over 1,000 pounds of force. This can inflict serious injuries, especially if a person is hit in the head. A person who suffers this type of injury may be able to pursue compensation if they can show that a person acted negligently, such as by failing to warn others of a ball that was hit in their direction. In some cases, a victim may also be able to hold the owner of a golf course liable for the failure to protect people’s safety by enforcing rules, or a golf course’s designer may be liable if the course was designed in a way that put people at an unreasonable risk of being struck by an errant ball. 

• Being struck by a golf club - Serious injuries may occur if a golfer does not take the proper care when using golf clubs. Swinging a club too close to another person may cause them to strike another person on the head or other parts of the body, which can cause traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, or internal injuries. A flying golf club may also strike a person if a golfer loses their grip while swinging or throws a club in anger. In these cases, a victim may be able to pursue compensation from a golfer who acted negligently.

• Golf cart accidents - Golfers or others may be injured if a golf cart overturns or strikes someone. In these cases, negligent parties may include a person who operated a golf cart unsafely, a golf course that did not ensure that golf carts were properly maintained, or a manufacturer of defective golf cart parts.

• Slip and fall accidents - If the owner or operator of a golf course did not take steps to correct hazards or warn people about potential risks, they may be held liable for fall injuries that occur due to slippery surfaces, inadequately maintained paths, or other safety issues.

The potential sources of compensation may differ depending on whether a victim was a golfer, a spectator at a golf tournament, or a person on foot or in a vehicle traveling near a golf course. In some cases, a defendant may attempt to avoid liability by claiming that there was an assumption of risk for people who used or visited a golf course. To address this issue, a plaintiff may need to show that there was no way to reasonably foresee and avoid the circumstances that led to the injuries.

Contact Our Milwaukee, WI Personal Injury Attorneys

If you have been injured while golfing or while you were on or near a golf course, the attorneys of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP can help you determine your best options for recovering compensation that will address the damages you have suffered. Contact our Milwaukee personal injury lawyers at 414-271-1440 to get legal help with your case.

Sources:

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/getting-hit-smith-061999

https://sportslawexpert.com/2019/01/25/time-for-a-reassessment-of-assumption-of-risk-in-golf-dont-count-on-it/