Knight v. Jewett
Supreme Court of California
834 P.2d 696 (1992)
Knight (plaintiff) sued Jewett (defendant) for negligence after Jewett ran into her from behind, knocked her down, and stepped on her hand during a touch football game, right after she caught a pass. Jewett claimed he was trying to intercept the pass when the collision occurred. The trial court granted Jewett summary judgment, ruling that Knight had assumed the risk of injury by playing, and the court of appeal affirmed. Knight sought further review.
Whether a participant in an active sport breaches a legal duty to other participants, and can be held financially liable for resulting injuries, only if he intentionally injures another player or engages in conduct so reckless it falls entirely outside the range of ordinary activity in the sport.