Sport Physical Activity and the Law

1
Sport Physical Activity and the Law

• Chapter 15
• Responsibilities of Game Officials

2
Officials Responsibilities

• Officials maintain primary responsibility for
  safe conduct of the game as it progresses.
• Safety rules must be strictly enforced.
• Officials must penalize infractions that could
  compromise player safety.
• Contractual duty of care.
• Officials must determine the legality of
  equipment, facilities and uniforms.

3
Bases for Legal Duties of Officials

• Contractual duty of care.
• Duty to control conduct of the activity.

4
Standard of Care

• The reasonably prudent official.
• Rules enforcement a prerequisite to prevention
  of foreseeable injuries.
• Rule enforcement v. rule enactment.

5
Officials and

• Foreseeability
• Proximate cause
• But-for test
• Statutory Immunity

6
Employment Status of Officials

• Independent contractor status depends on official
  not being subject to control of schools, leagues,
  or conferences in their officiating decisions.

7
Responsibilities of Officials

• Facilities and equipment
• Appropriate activities
• Supervision

8
Supervision

• Coverage and supervision of play on and off the
  ball.
• General/specific supervision.
• Players, substitutes,
• bench personnel, spectators.

9
Responsibilities of Officials

• Facilities and equipment
• Appropriate activities
• Supervision
• After an injury

10
Injury Management

• Officials must exercise appropriate injury
  mechanics after an injury occurs.
• Officials must be aware of the necessity to stop
  play to prevent the exacerbation of an injury.
• Officials must summon medical personnel and
  continue to supervise both teams and activities
  in and around the playing area.

11
Conclusion

• Safety of participants is always the officials
  first concern.
• A safe activity is achieved by strict enforcement
  of all rules regarding player safety, as well as
  equipment, uniforms, and environmental
  conditions.
• The level of competition or sophistication of the
  participants has no bearing on the enforcement of
  rules relating to safety.