The Short Answer
If your organization is served with a lawsuit, immediately notify your insurance carrier in writing. Do not respond to the plaintiff's attorney or make any admissions without first consulting with the defense counsel your insurer assigns to your case.
Your general liability policy covers legal defense costs — including attorney fees, court costs, and expert witness fees — in addition to any settlement or judgment. Defense costs alone in a contested sports liability case can easily exceed $50,000–$100,000 even when the organization ultimately prevails.
Most youth sports lawsuits are resolved before trial. Your insurance carrier's claims team and assigned defense counsel will work to investigate the facts, assess liability, and negotiate a reasonable settlement when appropriate. You will be kept informed throughout the process.
The best protection against lawsuits is documentation. Written policies, signed participant waivers, coach certification records, incident reports, and field/facility inspection logs all help your insurer build a strong defense when a claim is made.
Coverage Overview
| Coverage Type | Applies? |
|---|---|
| General Liability | ✓ |
| Accident Medical | ✓ |
| Abuse & Molestation | ✓ |
| Directors & Officers | ✓ |
| Umbrella / Excess | ✓ |
| Workers Compensation | – |
| Property Coverage | – |
| Event Cancellation | – |