New York City Sports Injury Lawyer for Athletes of All Ages

Getting hurt while playing sports can be devastating. Whether you are a child playing youth soccer, a high school football player, a college athlete, or an adult who loves staying active, injuries can change your life.

Michael J. McConnell is a personal injury lawyer serving New York City who happens to be a lifelong athlete, longtime youth sports coach, and ultramarathoner. He knows what it is like to work hard, be part of a team, and push your body to its limits. He also knows how hard it is to be on the sidelines when you’re hurt and cannot play the game you love.

That’s why he takes sports injuries seriously and is willing to lay it all the line for athletes who have been wrongfully injured due to negligence.

Sports Injuries Caused by Negligence are Not Just “Part of the Game”

Look, the bottom line is that sports can be dangerous. There are inherent risks in all sports. Some risks we assume as athletes. Risk that are just “part of the game” like getting tackled in football. Those types of injuries don’t justify a lawsuit, but there are injuries that go far beyond just being “part of the game.”

Injuries that are caused by the wrongful or negligent conduct of someone else are a different matter. These are not injuries that someone accepted as part of the risk of playing a sport. Things like unsafe playing fields, facilities, or equipment can be grounds to bring a civil lawsuit for financial compensation.

Get a Free Consultation with a Sports Injury Lawyer Serving New York City

If you or your child was hurt playing a sport, you may have questions. The Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is here to answer them and help you understand your legal options.

You can contact us know for a free consultation by:

Common Sports Injuries Due to Negligence in the Five Boroughs

Some sports injuries are just bumps and bruises. But others are more serious and need medical care. Here are some of the common sports injuries that can result from a third party’s negligence or intentional misconduct:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), including concussions
  • Broken bones
  • Torn ligaments (like ACL or MCL tears)
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Shoulder and knee injuries
  • Overuse injuries
  • Heatstroke or dehydration

Some of these injuries can keep you out of the game for weeks, months, or even forever. In the worst cases, an injury can affect your ability to walk, work, or live normally. In those situations, it is essential to get timely medical care and to consider legal representation by a personal injury lawyer dedicated to helping injured athletes.

Athletes of All Ages Can Be Seriously Injured from Negligence

Negligence can harm athletes of any age or ability. Here are some examples of how:

  • Youth Athletes
    Kids love to run, jump, and play. But sometimes they get hurt during games or practice. These injuries can include broken bones, concussions, or sprains. Sometimes these injuries happen because the field, court, ice rink, or facilities were not safe due to improper maintenance. Other times, these injuries occur due to a lack of appropriate supervision. 
  • High School Athletes
    Many teenagers play on school teams. Unsafe equipment, poor field conditions, or lack of proper medical care can also lead to serious harm. Occasionally a coach or trainer can be liable for pushing a child too hard or ignoring signs of injury.
  • College Athletes
    College athletes play at a high level. They often have dreams of playing professionally. When they get injured, those dreams can disappear. As a former college athlete himself, Michael J. McConnell is a New York City personal injury lawyer who understands the mental and emotional impact of these injuries. When caused by someone else’s negligence, an injured college athlete may be able to pursue financial compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
  • Adult Athletes and Weekend Warriors
    Many adults stay active through sports and fitness. Whether you play in a local league, run marathons, or just enjoy pickup games at the gym, you can still get hurt. If someone else caused your injury—like an unsafe facility or faulty equipment—you can file a personal injury lawsuit.

Suing for a Sports Injury

A personal injury attorney will analyze a sports injury similar to various other types of accidents. First and foremost, you need to find out what went wrong and who is responsible. Key questions will include:

  • Was the field or gym safe?
  • Was the equipment broken or dangerous?
  • Were athletes pushed too hard without enough rest or water?

If someone else caused the injury because they were careless or didn’t follow the rules, we may be able to file a personal injury claim. This can help you pay for:

  • Doctor and hospital bills
  • Physical therapy and rehab
  • Loss of past or future income
  • Pain and suffering

What to Do After a Sports Injury

If you or your child gets hurt while playing sports, here are some steps you can take:

  1. Get Medical Help Right Away – Your health comes first. See a doctor or go to the hospital.
  2. Report the Injury – Tell the coach, school, or team about the injury.
  3. Document What Happened – Note the time, place, and how the injury occurred.
  4. Take Photos – If possible, take pictures of the field, equipment, or injury.
  5. Call a Sports Injury Lawyer – They can help you figure out your rights and next steps.

Why Choose the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell?

Michael J. McConnell is a former criminal prosecutor in Manhattan and he takes a hard-nosed approach to his practice of law. He decided to open his own law firm as a personal injury lawyer precisely to help people who need legal representation most – people who have been wrongfully injured, survivors of sexual abuse, and victims of violent crime. Having spent his life around sports, the common bond he shares with his fellow athletes is strong. He knows what it means to train, compete, and care for teammates. As a coach, he also knows how much trust families place in schools, leagues, and athletic programs. And as a father, he is highly motivated to make sure his children and everyone else’s can play the sports they love in a safe environment.

To achieve this, Michael J. McConnell is dedicated to holding schools, facilities, and organizations accountable when their negligence or misconduct brings physical and emotional pain to youth athletes and weekend warriors alike.

With the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell, seriously injured athletes get:

  • Athlete & Coach Background – He understands the toll that an injury takes on an athlete. 
  • One-on-One Attention – You’ll always work directly with your attorney, not some assistant.
  • No Fees Unless We Win – Your attorney only gets paid if they win your case by getting you money for your injury.

Let’s Talk About Your Case

If you or someone you love has been hurt playing sports in New York City, we’re here to help. Whether it’s a young child in youth baseball or a college athlete with dreams of going pro, the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell is committed to treating every case with care.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Attorney Michael J. McConnell will personally listen to your story, answer your questions, and let you know if you have a case.