Miami Fencing Accident Lawyer

For a combat sport, fencing is incredibly safe. It has injury rates far less than those seen in martial arts, boxing, and wrestling. In fact, injury rates for most sports are higher. Table tennis, badminton, swimming, and curling all have higher injury rates than fencing. But that does not mean that fencing is completely safe. And, when a fencing accident does occur, it can result in extreme or even life threatening injury. If you or your child were injured in a fencing accident, Miami fencing accident lawyer Spencer Morgan Law can help you hold the at-fault party responsible for your damages.

Fencing Fatalities are Rare, But Are Still a Possibility

Quite likely the most well-known fencing tragedy in the sport’s recent history is the incident that took place in the 1982 World Championships in Rome. Vladimir Smirnov of the Soviet Union and Matthias Behr of West Germany were the top ranked fencers in the world, using (then) state of the art equipment when Behr’s foil broke. The remaining blade, now jagged, penetrated Smirnov’s face mask and eye socket, entering his brain. Vladimir was taken to the hospital but died nine days later. The tragic fatality resulted in sweeping changes to safety and equipment, doing away with carbon steel blades, which were more likely to break in competition and practice, and replacing them with maraging steel. Fencers now usually wear Kevlar, steel mesh masks of stronger material, and much more heavy duty nylon protective uniforms. Vladimir’s death was only the sport’s eighth death in the modern era, and serious injuries are much more common.

Fencing Injuries

Fencing is a high-paced, dynamic, explosive sport. As such, participants take on some inherent risk of injury, as with any sport. The most common fencing injuries are minor bruising, blisters, fencer’s elbow, and soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears (including muscle tears, sprained ankles, and torn ligaments).

Potential Liable Parties

All members of society have a duty of care to others. This duty varies depending on the relationship. For example, a car driver has a duty to a pedestrian to drive carefully and obey all laws, including pedestrian right of way laws. A fencing club has a duty to its members, as does an event organizer to its participants. Violating safety standards, acting in a careless or reckless manner, producing defective equipment, or otherwise neglecting one’s duty of care can result in injury. And when it does, the injured plaintiff has the right to seek compensation in the form of a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Examples of potential liable parties in a fencing accident include:

• Fencing club or school
• Equipment manufacturer
• Tournament/event organizer
• Other participant or opponent
• Property owner

Call a Miami Fencing Accident Lawyer Today for Help

If you or your child suffered an injury in a fencing accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and much more. Do not hesitate to contact a Miami fencing accident lawyer at Spencer Morgan Law today at 305-423-3800 to schedule a free consultation.