Maine School Sports Injuries Lead to Legal Claims: When Is a Lawsuit Warranted?

School athletics are a cornerstone of student life in Maine—from high school football and soccer to wrestling and cheerleading. But with the physical demands of these activities comes inherent risk. While many injuries are treated as part of participation, others may signal negligence, creating grounds for legal action. This article explores when Maine school sports injuries could justify a lawsuit—shedding light on liability, standards of care, and real-life case examples.

Nationally, youth sports injuries remain a pressing issue: an estimated 1.35 million children experience serious sports injuries annually worldwide, and 8,000 U.S. children are treated in emergency rooms daily due to athletic injuries. High school athletes face significant risk too—concussions and traumatic brain injuries alone account for 15% of reported trauma in school sports.

In Maine, while state-specific injury statistics aren’t always publicized, courts and legal professionals regularly encounter cases where injuries stem from faulty equipment, negligent supervision, or unsafe facilities. These incidents highlight situations where the typical “assumption of risk” defense may no longer apply.

1. Duty of Care and Standard of Supervision

Schools and staff owe a legal duty of care to student athletes. In Maine, courts have affirmed this duty in cases involving coaches and trainers. In Searles v. Trustees of St. Joseph College, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court stated that both coach and trainer must “exercise reasonable care for the health and safety of student athletes”.

When supervision lapses—such as failing to intervene during hazardous drills or lacking oversight in dressing rooms before or after practices—the school or coach may be found negligent.

2. Equipment and Facilities

Liability isn’t limited to supervision. Schools are held accountable for ensuring safe equipment and facilities. In Bucksport’s bleacher case, spectators were injured due to missing floorboards. Though the court ultimately ruled the property immune under Maine law, the case underscored the importance of ongoing maintenance and facility inspections.

Similarly, defective or poorly maintained athletic surfaces—like wrestling mats or presharp hockey boards—can expose schools and equipment suppliers to claims of negligence or product liability.

3. Sovereign Immunity vs. Exceptions

Maine’s Maine Tort Claims Act (MTCA) generally shields public schools from tort lawsuits, thanks to sovereign immunity. Yet the law includes exceptions, such as injuries tied to public buildings, use of vehicles, pollutants, or unsafe operations. In Lightfoot v. M.S.A.D. #35 (2003), the court determined that injuries sustained during unsupervised hallway drills did not meet the building exception, reinforcing immunity under discretionary supervision.

Despite these protections, immunity may not apply if a school's insurance policy covers negligent acts beyond these statutory limits.

A student-athlete or their family may have legal standing when multiple conditions are met:

1. Negligent supervision or coaching
   • Examples include unsupervised locker rooms, allowing unsafe drills, or pushing players beyond reasonable limits.
2. Defective equipment or unsafe premises
   • This may involve broken bleachers, poorly maintained playing fields, insufficient protective gear, or contaminated mats.
3. Excessive or reckless instruction
   • Encouraging dangerous techniques—like spear tackling in football—ignores modern safety standards and increases liability.
4. Failure to provide medical attention
   • Prompt first aid, appropriate concussion protocols, and safe return-to-play decisions are required to meet standard care.
5. Harm exceeds normal game risk
   • Courts recognize that consent covers typical injuries, not those caused by gross negligence, intent to harm, or third-party misconduct.

In 2018, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court allowed a lawsuit to proceed after a teen suffered a head injury during a school sports event at Portland’s Cheverus High School. Though claims against another student and their parents were dismissed, the court found factual grounds to evaluate negligent supervision by the school—clarifying that even if certain immunities apply, such cases can move forward when key risks are present.

• Document everything. Record dates, people involved, and locations. Capture photos of equipment or facilities involved.
• Seek medical help immediately. School staff should log injuries and initiate proper treatment protocols.
• Consult an attorney early. An experienced personal injury attorney can determine if the injury involved actionable negligence or immunity exceptions.
• Preserve evidence. Keep equipment or clothing from the incident and get copies of the athletic policy or waiver your child signed.
• Act quickly. MTCA claims and private school actions are time-sensitive. Maine's statutes of limitations require timely filing.

At Peter Thompson & Associates, our lawyers understand Maine's school immunity laws and the standards coaches must uphold. We’ve represented families in claims alleging negligent supervision, inadequate equipment, and unsafe instruction.

If your child was seriously injured during a school sport and you believe the school, coach, or equipment supplier failed in their duty, contact us for a free case review. We’ll help determine if you have grounds for compensation. Call us today for a free consultation at 207-874-0909.