Martial Arts Insurance: What If It Really Is Your Fault?
In the martial arts industry, accidents happen. But what if an injury or incident is genuinely your fault? How you respond can make a big difference, and that's where martial arts insurance comes into play.
Sometimes, even well-intentioned actions can lead to serious consequences, and when they do, it's essential to know your options.
Own Up to Your Mistakes
If you believe you're responsible for an accident or injury, it's crucial to notify your martial arts insurance company.
Admitting fault can impact your insurance standing and future rates, but that's precisely why you pay for insurance—to protect you in such situations.
If the matter is minor and manageable within your budget, you may decide to handle it privately. However, for larger issues, insurance is there to help you cover any liabilities.
Mistakes, whether intentional or not, can lead to serious repercussions. Sometimes, these mistakes may even result in criminal charges.
In such cases, it’s essential to act quickly and responsibly to mitigate potential legal fallout.
Real-Life Example: Teaching a Lesson Gone Wrong
Consider the following scenario: during a class, an instructor wanted to teach a new student a lesson about control. The instructor decided to go full speed during a sparring session, even though the strikes weren’t at full power.
Despite protective gear, the student was knocked back, hit their head, and suffered bruised ribs.
In this case, no legal action was taken, but the situation could have easily escalated to a criminal charge or civil liability.
Had the student’s family made a claim, the instructor would have been wise to offer compensation, such as covering medical expenses.
Negligence and Its Consequences
Sometimes, even when someone else commits a crime, the negligence of a school owner or instructor can come into play.
For example, in one case, the son of a school owner sexually molested a young girl at the school. While the son was guilty of a crime, the school owner could have been held liable for allowing access to the facility.
Factors such as past behavior, known tendencies, and the availability of reasonable precautions can impact a school owner’s liability.
In such situations, offering a settlement to help the affected family with therapy or other expenses can be a compassionate and strategic response.
However, poorly handled settlements can backfire, turning minor cases into major events.
The Importance of Legal Expertise
When considering a settlement, always work with a skilled attorney who understands how to balance advocacy with diplomacy.
Some attorneys can be overly combative, turning settlement discussions into legal battles that escalate costs and stress. You need someone who can handle the matter with respect and avoid unnecessary conflict.
If you have martial arts insurance, your insurance company should handle the legal proceedings, including finding an attorney. However, if you don’t have insurance, the costs of a serious case could quickly exceed your financial capacity.
In such cases, you might need to explore structured settlements, which allow for payment plans, or consider selling assets to cover the cost.
The Takeaway: Always Have Martial Arts Insurance
The most important lesson? Make sure you have martial arts insurance. Accidents and mistakes happen, and when they do, insurance can provide the support you need to handle legal claims, settlements, and more.
It’s better to be prepared than to face financial ruin over a situation that could have been covered.