Sports Injury, Parent's Rights to Choose Medical Care

[jmwv]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? West Virginia

Situation: A minor is injured in a high school athletic event. The injury is a bleeding wound on the face of a young girl. The opposing team offers a trainer to attend the injury. Both parents of the minor are present and choose to refuse the help of a trainer, instead accepting the help of a licensed physician with whom they are already familiar. The parents took the player took the emergency room where she received stitches. The coach then files a complaint to the school administration, that the parents refused medical assistance. I understand that the coach would make a decision if the parents were not present. However, when the parents are present, do they legally have the right to refuse the assistance offered and choose optional assistance with which they are more comfortable?

Let me add that the licensed physician was the parent of a fellow team player and the coach was well aware that she is a licensed doctor who has throughout the season attended to the injuries of the team players.

 

[justalayman]

Not sure what your problem is. You did refuse their medical treatment. The only time this would be an issue is if you want to sue the school or the trainer. Once you took the medical treatment into your own hands, you removed the liability the school may have had. The statement of refusing medical attention simply supports that action.

 

[jmwv]

Are you confirming that the parent has the right to refuse? The coach is contending that the parent did not have that right.

 

[justalayman]

Have the coach cite you some law that allows them to control how your child is treated. I would be interested to see anything that would remove the rights of a parent in favor of a school coach in determining medical treatment for the child.

Obviously there is more to this situation that you are not presenting here. Might it make a difference?

 

[jmwv]

It's pretty straightforward. The coach seems unable to accept that the parents could make that decision. She keeps stating repeatedly that the parents refused the help of the trainer. The parents did and fully acknowledge their choice. The coach states it as if the parents did something heinous. She reported it to the school as if they have jurisdiction over the decision. She is so vehement about it that the parents wanted to make sure they truly have the legal right. The parents want to be able to anticipate the school's response. I have been looking online all night and have not been able to find any law that would supersede the parent's right to make the decision. Thank you for your responses.