Should I be worried (long story)?

Question

Earlier this afternoon, I played a game of pick-up hockey on a frozen pond with a bunch of kids I didn’t know. During the game, one of the opposing team’s players was skating up ice with his head down and I laid into him with my shoulder. The play resumed after the hit and I started to follow the play, when all of a sudden one of my teammates (presumably the injured player’s friend) sucker-punched me. I fell to the ice and then grappled with the guy for a while. Meanwhile, the player I hit was still down on the ice, lying unconscious. Being the nice guy that I am, I didn’t flee the scene. Rather, I stayed there to see if the injured player would regain consciousness. Bad move.

One of the other players must have called 911 because an ambulance arrived along with a cop car. The guy who started the fight with me skated up to the edge of the ice surface, near the cop car, and pointed to the injured guy and then to me. The paramedics tended to the injured kid while the police officer talked to me. Two of the other kids butted in as I was explaining to the officer what had happened and made it appear as though I had maliciously mauled the guy. They said I viciously checked him from his blindside (not true) and that the back of the kid’s head hit the ice pretty hard. With the picture the other players had painted, I’m surprised I wasn’t handcuffed and taken away. The officer did, however, ask me for identification and I presented my driver’s license. He took down my information.

Could the cops still issue a warrant for my arrest, or did he have to arrest me at the scene of the incident. Also, could I be held liable for any medical expenses incurred by the injured party? I am not a bad guy and, despite the other players’ explanations, there was no intent to injure. We were playing a friendly game of hockey and I saw an opportunity to make a check. These open-ice body checks occur all the time in the NHL and players do, unfortunately, get injured. I do not have a personal attorney, which is why I thought you guys might be able to help me out.

The first few answers aren't really helpful. Are there any legal experts here or just people looking for two easy points to a potentially serious problem?

I am an adult in my mid-20s. When I say "kids," I mean college-aged kids. I don't know their exact ages, but I would guess anywhere between 16-20.

As for having witnesses, I am afraid that everyone else will side with the injured party, as they were all together. I was playing by myself when they joined and asked to see if I wanted to get a game going.

Answer 1

Sounds like something that would be on Judge Judy!

Honestly it could go either way. Anyone can sue anybody for medical expenses and it is up for a judgs to decide. I wouldn't worry about being in trouble on any criminal end of it if you are at home now and not in jail.

There is nothing you can do about it now but wait. You can always call him or his family and make sure he is OK. Try to relax, enjoy your Christmas.

Answer 2

A warrant can still be issued (Sorry. You probably don't want to hear this) should the family decide to press charges. However, the people at the scene may or may not be eligible to become witnesses if they are his friends.

What you have done to that person was a sporting accident, which is quite common. However, did you mention to the officer that you were sucker-punched by his friend? That would have been indecent assault (or in some states or countires, Assault-and-battery) and that could land him in jail. The fact that you stayed means you owned up to the responsibility. Should anything happen, you have a better chance of defending yourself against the persecution of the law.

So in summary:

You're not gonna get into serious trouble. At most a fine.
You're a victim of indecent assault. Let the police know that.
You accidentally knocked him down playing sports. If you can contact him, visit him at the hospital or send him some flowers.

Answer 3

WOWSERS! Yes you still can be arrested, most likely for assault. It's your word against everyone else that was there. This sort of thing happened all the time when I used to be rink rat. Although no one ever tried to sue or press charges. Hopefully the person injured has medical insurance that will cover the expenses. If so, I don't think anything else will happen. Anyone who plays hockey knows injuries happen; it's a risk you take flying around on the ice. That is why I don't think any criminal charges will happen. But hospital bills on the other hand can be spendy, and they might come after you in a civil suit to repay those expenses. Good Luck

Answer 4

Well, first i'd say you need to keep tabs on how the injured party is doing. say if they are still in a hospital. if they went home, you might want to still check in to see how things are going. If your met with hostility at the door, leave and be prepared for the worse. If its a scene with parents, then talk to them a short while to express sympathy while trying to dig up some sort of a feeling as to how the incident has effected them.
I'm sure that the cops aren't too stupid, and realize that since you had every oppotunity to flee the scene and didn't, that show's your character. Also since they didn't take you in on the spot showed precaution on their part not to rush to conclusion but if there is any supportive evidence that it might have been malicious....yes...they could come get you later.
Such determinations are usually made by the DA or assistant if they feel they have a case to make. I'd like to make you feel better and say that they would wait for info or proof first, but experience has proven me wrong on that one. I've seen cases with little facts go up on court just to see if it would fly.
So the most at this point you need to worry about is the medical condition of the patient. If there's brain damage, coma, etc....the worse of all worlds. Then there might be legal action. If he's at home with a lump on his head, they it more than likely will be dropped since the friends are bias'd witnesses, you don't have any of your own witnesses and intent can not be proven.

Answer 5

Anyone who involves themselves in a game of pick-up hockey on a pond instead of a game in a rink with a ref is pretty much accepting whatever comes their way. It does not sound like you intentionally did anything other than play the sport. If it does come back on you, that is why they give you a chance to defend yourself in court! The other guy who punched you though, that sounds more like assault. People can't go around punching others just because their friend got knocked on his butt. I wouldn't worry about it. In the end, the truth will come out. If you didn't do it on purpose, you'll be just fine.

Answer 6

accidents do happen, everyone knows that. just be sure that you make it clear that it was an accident. i doubt anyone will file charges. although our court system is pretty screwed up and parents love to sue now a days over nothing. the injured kid's insurance should pay what happened. maybe go to see him later, see how he's doing. i agree with you, it was just an accident. things happen all the times while playing sports. tell your parents what happened. be out in the open with it. i doubt theyll arrest you. it wasnt assault. but if someone plays that card, just say that the other kids assaulted you when they hit you. you all knew what you were getting into when you decided to play hockey. its a contact sport. if the kid didnt want to have any physical contact with anyone he shouldnt have played. good luck with it all. im on your side!

Answer 7

If it does come to criminal charges the District Attorney can/will issue a bench warrent. Most likely the department will contact you and let you know that they have more questions to ask you. This is a touchy subject but when playing games that are inheritly dangerous such as football and hockey that the players accept the risk by playing. Hope this helps out.

Answer 8

Are you an adult? Playing with kids?

This is a pick up game, not the NHL. I would view it as an accident, or at least not malicious, but I'm not this kid's parents.

I doubt you would be arrested, but you could be sued if the kid is seriously injured.

Answer 9

if u waited that shows to the cops your not a runner type of guy.instead you waited which means your kind guy.don't worry.if it goes to court u might need attorney but i doubt it man.the police would of said something worse to make be believe so.but the problem is if everyone takes sides on the person.then thats no good man.don't worry man. Hockey is a tough sport.

Answer 10

I don't know too much about law but I'd expect that you'll at the very least see a medical bill, and if these people are as big assholes as they seem then there might be more, although like I said I don't know the law well so this is just me guessing.