If you live in Toronto or anywhere across Ontario, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of pickleball. You may have even played it. Fast-paced, addictive, fun for all ages and surprisingly intense, pickleball has exploded in popularity over the last few years. What started as a quirky mix of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton has turned into the fastest-growing sport in Canada.
It’s estimated there around 200 publicly accessible pickleball courts in and around Toronto. Tennis courts throughout Toronto have been converted into pickleball courts, community centers are constantly converting their gyms into pickleball courts and facilities like The Jar, Fairgrounds Cloverdale and Vaughan Pickleplex keep popping up throughout the GTA.
But here’s the thing: with the boom in popularity has come a rise in injuries. And not just twisted ankles and sore shoulders, but broken bones, concussions, and injuries serious enough to land players in the ER — or worse, on the sidelines for months.
So, here’s the question many injured players are asking: can I file a personal injury claim if I get hurt playing pickleball?
First, it’s important to understand why are so many pickleball players getting hurt?
Pickleball is marketed as a low-impact sport and is often played by older adults looking for a fun and social way to stay active. But the reality is that pickleball requires constant stop and start movement – high speed sprinting followed by jolting stops. When you mix high-speed gameplay with an aging population, many of whom have joint, balance, or mobility issues, injuries are bound to happen.
According to Global News, Canada has over 1.5 million active pickleball players in 2025. Physiotherapy clinics across Ontario are now seeing multiple new pickleball-related injuries per week. And some hospitals are reporting a noticeable increase in patients with pickleball-induced fractures, sprains, and head injuries.
What are the Most Common Pickleball Injuries?
Here is a list of the most common pickleball injuries. Keep in mind that these injuries can happen to players of all ages and backgrounds.
- Wrist and Arm Fractures – Often from trying to break a fall, especially on hard surfaces.
- Rotator Cuff Tears and Shoulder Strains – Quick overhead shots can cause damage over time.
- Achilles Tendon Ruptures – Common among men over 40, especially if not warmed up properly.
- Concussions and Head Injuries – Usually from slipping on wet or uneven courts.
- Knee and Ankle Sprains – From sudden pivots or landing awkwardly.
These aren’t freak accidents; they’re happening frequently. A 2023 study in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research found that pickleball injuries requiring hospital treatment have increased 200% in the past five years, with players aged 55+ being most affected.
Do You Have a Legal Claim if You Were Hurt Playing Pickleball?
Now to the important question: if you’re injured while playing pickleball in Ontario, can you file a personal injury claim?
That depends on how the injury happened.
1. Unsafe Playing Conditions (Premises Liability)
If your injury was caused by something like a wet gym floor, cracked court surface, poor lighting, or a tripping hazard left out by staff, you may have a claim against the property owner or facility manager. This is a classic case of premises liability, and it’s something we deal with often at Bergel Magence.
Example: You’re playing at an indoor private pickleball facility or a community centre in Toronto and slip on a puddle of water left uncleaned from a leak in the ceiling. If there were no signs or efforts made to fix the hazard, that’s likely grounds for a lawsuit.
2. Reckless or Aggressive Players
Pickleball is competitive and not everyone plays nice. If another player smashes a ball at your head out of anger, throws their racket or aggressively bodychecks you while being on the same team playing doubles, that crosses the line from fair play into negligence or even intentional harm.
In these cases, you may have a right to pursue compensation from that individual. Just like in a car accident, their recklessness may make them legally responsible for your injuries.
3. Negligent Coaching or Supervision
Were you in a private lesson or clinic where the coach encouraged risky drills without warmups? Or maybe they didn’t intervene when another player acted dangerously? If the injury happened under someone’s instruction or oversight, their actions, or inactions, could make them legally liable.
4. Defective Equipment
Sometimes, it’s not the people or the place, but rather it’s the gear. If the court equipment was installed improperly, like a loose net post or uneven floor mat and you get hurt as a result, that could be a case of negligence by the facility.
What If You Signed a Waiver?
Most gyms, leagues, and clubs in Ontario require you to sign a waiver before playing. But sometimes waivers aren’t enforceable in court.
If the injury was caused by gross negligence, like a known hazard that was ignored, the waiver may not protect the facility or the instructor. Courts in Ontario have tossed out waivers in cases where the defendant’s actions were clearly careless or dangerous.
That’s why it’s so important to speak to a lawyer before assuming you have no case.
What Should You Do If You’re Injured Playing Pickleball?
Here is what you should do if you are injured while playing pickleball.
- Get Medical Help – Don’t try to “walk it off” as the injury could be significant, far worse than you may think. Take your time, get checked out and document the injury.
- Document The Location – What caused you the injury? Take pictures to capture the scene, the hazard, your injuries, and any equipment involved. Were you playing indoors and slipped on a wet spot? Did you trip due to uneven flooring?
- Get Names – Collect contact info from witnesses or fellow players who saw what happened.
- Report The Accident – Notify the facility or event organizer immediately and ask for a written report.
- Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer – A free consultation with a firm like Bergel Magence can help you understand if you’re entitled to compensation.
At Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve been representing injured Ontarians for over 50 years, helping them get the justice and compensation they deserve when seriously injured. We understand the law, we know how courts view recreational injuries, and we fight for our clients – whether the injury happened on a highway or a pickleball court.
If your injury was the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs and future care needs.
And with Bergel Magence, there is absolutely no risk. You only pay when we win your case.
Pickleball is a fun sport played by people of all ages. But, like any sport, playing comes with risk. When injury strikes due to unsafe conditions, poor supervision, or someone else’s reckless behaviour, it’s not just a sports injury anymore – it’s a legal matter.
If you or someone you love has been injured playing pickleball in Toronto or anywhere in Ontario, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Bergel Magence today for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your legal rights and get you back on your feet – on and off the court.
Contact Bergel Magence today:
📞 416-665-2000
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