1. Legal Concerns for the ATC
By: Mrs. Heinz

3. All members of the sports medicine team are responsible for their actions and for conducting themselves in an ethical and legal manner.
Never forget that sports medicine is often in the spotlight because sports are usually played in front of crowds and cameras. Using appropriate preventative measures and providing skillful first aid in every incident provide confidence in ethical decisions and help to limit liability in legal matters. Witnesses and cameras will invariably bring attention to professional behavior.
Proper record keeping will protect the involved parties from legal action in the event of a serious injury. In a legal matter, documentation is EVERYTHING.

4. Ethics and the ATC
It is vital that the ATC handle his or herself in a professional and ethical manner.
ATCs must abide by the NATA Code of Ethics.
ATCs who do not act appropriately risk losing their certification.

5. The athletic trainer’s first duty is to act as an athlete’s advocate
The athletic trainer’s first duty is to act as an athlete’s advocate. The complex process of deciding and acting in the best interest of an athlete while addressing the concerns for the rest of the sports medicine team can be one of the most demanding aspects of being an athletic trainer.
The athletic trainer’s job is to recognize all concerns and views, to accommodate as many people as possible, but ALWAYS keeping the safety of the athlete as the primary consideration.
Prevention of injuries has the utmost importance.

6. Legal responsibilities for the ATC
Knowledge of assessment & management of injuries
Providing & maintaining safe and effective equipment and facilities
Instructing the athlete in safety procedures and methods to minimize injury
Planning an appropriate response for medical emergencies
Taking reasonable steps to provide medical assistance when required
Preventing the athlete from returning to participation if there is risk of aggravating the injury
Maintaining confidential medical records

7. Terms every ATC should know
Liability Vocabulary
Terms every ATC should know
Liability:
being legally responsible for harm of athlete or cause of injury
Negligence:
failure to use reasonable care that an ordinary person would use
Standard of Reasonable Care:
degree of care that an equally qualified caregiver would provide
Tort:
a legal wrong
Misfeasance:
when care provider commits an act, but uses wrong procedures
Malfeasance:
when care provider performs an act that is not the care providers responsibility or standard of care

8. Nonfeasance:
care provider fails to perform their legal duty of care
Gross Negligence:
care provider has total disregard for safety of others
Malpractice:
care provider commits a negligent act while delivering care
Assumption of Risk:
athlete assumes he/she may be injured during activity
Act of God:
uncontrollable, mother nature
Forseability of Risk:
making sure environment and equipment is safe
Warning of Risk:
organization writes down all warnings to what might occur during event
Ethics:
morals; set of principles or values that influence behavior