Are Youth Sports Organizations Liable for Sexual Abuse by Coaches?

Youth sports organizations owe the athletes entrusted to their care a duty to keep them safe and prevent sexual abuse. Any action or inaction that contradicts that duty could make an organization liable for sexual abuse by an individual coach.

Youth organizations can be liable for sexual abuse by coaches because of negligent hiring practices, negligent supervision, inadequate sexual abuse prevention training, and ignoring reports of sexual abuse or misconduct. Youth sports organizations can also be held liable for all damages caused by an employee’s misconduct while working, which may include damages from sexual abuse. Victims can seek liability for all economic and non-economic damages, and possibly even punitive damages, depending on the state.

Get a free case assessment from our sexual abuse victim attorneys by calling The Law Office of Andrew Shubin at (814) 826-3586.

When Can Youth Sports Organizations Be Liable for Sexual Abuse by Coaches?

There are many scenarios where a youth sports organization could be liable for sexual abuse by coaches and have to compensate victims for their various damages.

Negligent Hiring

Youth sports organizations owe minor players a duty of care. Part of that duty includes taking care during the hiring process for coaches. States generally have mandatory safety and background checks for anyone who may work with children, from teachers to youth sports coaches. Failure to run the proper background checks is a major breach of duty of care, and can make youth sports organizations liable for any sexual abuse that occurs.

Negligent Supervision

The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Supervision Act is a federal law that applies to youth sports organizations throughout the country. Under this law, youth sports organizations are required to implement rules that limit one-on-one and unobservable interactions between adult coaches and minor players. Failure to implement and enforce these rules leads to negligent supervision, which makes youth sports organizations liable for sexual abuse.

Inadequate Abuse Prevention Training

The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Supervision Act also sets standards for abuse prevention training. Coaches and other adults employed by a youth sports organization should be familiar with the signs of sexual abuse, understand what is required of them as mandatory reporters, and take disclosures seriously.

Ignoring Reports

Mandatory reporting for suspected or known sexual abuse is also part of the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Supervision Act. Ignoring reports of abuse from minor athletes or their parents and not investigating reports further keeps players in danger of being sexually abused by a particular coach.

Vicarious Liability

Employers can be held liable for employees’ intentional or negligent conduct while working. If a coach is a regular employee of a youth sports organization and sexually abuses a player during practice, a game, or any other time they are on the clock, the youth sports organization can be held directly responsible for all resulting damages.

Not all coaches are direct employees of youth sports organizations. If a coach is an independent contractor, the youth sports organization may not be liable for their misconduct while working.

How to Hold Youth Sports Organizations Liable for Sexual Abuse by Coaches

Let our attorneys help you take the necessary steps to hold a youth sports organization liable for a coach’s sexual abuse of a minor athlete.

Report the Abuse

If your child recently disclosed sexual abuse by a coach of a youth sports team, reporting it is important. You should report the abuse to local law enforcement and should inform the youth sports organization of the coach’s behavior so that other children are not in danger.

Preserve Evidence

We can preserve evidence that proves a youth sports organization’s liability for sexual abuse, such as written complaints made by parents in the past, internal emails or text messages between staff members and coaches of the youth sports organization, medical records, and mental health expert testimony.

Learn the Statute of Limitations

To hold a youth sports organization liable for sexual abuse by coaches, victims must learn and abide by the statute of limitations. In general, the statute of limitations is tolled until a minor victim turns 18. How long a plaintiff has to sue after reaching the age of majority depends on the state where the abuse occurred. Many states have a separate statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse civil litigation, which is often longer than the statute of limitations for adult sexual abuse lawsuits.

FAQs About Suing Youth Sport Organizations for Sexual Abuse by a Coach

What Economic Damages from Sexual Abuse Can Youth Sport Organizations Be Liable For?

Victims may sue youth sports organizations for all economic damages they experienced due to sexual abuse, from hospital visits to therapy expenses and more. Childhood sexual abuse can have long-term economic effects that our sexual abuse victim attorneys can help evaluate.

What Non-Economic Damages from Sexual Abuse Can Youth Sport Organizations Be Liable For?

Youth sports organizations can also be held liable for all non-economic damages due to childhood sexual abuse. Non-economic damages sometimes outweigh economic damages for childhood sexual abuse victims and should not be underestimated under any circumstances.

Can You Sue Youth Sports Organizations for Punitive Damages for Sexual Abuse by a Coach?

You may even be able to sue a youth sports organization for punitive damages for sexual abuse by a coach. Many, but not all, states allow punitive damages in sexual abuse cases involving minors, and our lawyers can check to see if yours does before filing a lawsuit.

How Much Time Do You Have to Sue Youth Sport Organizations for Sexual Abuse by a Coach?

You may have decades to sue for childhood sexual abuse, depending on your state. Not all states have longer statutes of limitations for cases involving children, so do not assume you have many years to bring your case.

Hold a Youth Sports Organization Liable for Sexual Abuse by a Coach with Our Help

Call the sexual abuse victim attorneys of The Law Office of Andrew Shubin at (814) 826-3586 for a free, confidential case discussion.