Hockey Injury Expert Witness

What a hockey case usually turns on

Hockey allows contact that would be a foul in most other sports, so the line between legal and illegal play matters more. Ron reviews the play against the rulebook that governed the game, whether youth, high school, college or adult league, and the level-specific checking rules that apply.

Body checking by age and level. USA Hockey's playing rules (Rule 604) prohibit body checking at 12U and younger, in all girls' and women's play, and in non-check adult play. Whether a check was legal starts there.
Boarding and checks from behind. USA Hockey treats checking from behind (Rule 608) and boarding (Rule 603) as penalties with high injury potential, and its Standard of Play guidance puts the onus on the player delivering the check not to hit from behind.
Head contact. Hits to the head and how the governing rules treat them.
Stick fouls. Slashing, high-sticking, cross-checking and spearing.
Officiating and game control. Whether officials called the game consistently and stepped in before play got out of hand.
Rink conditions and equipment. Boards, glass, ice conditions and required protective equipment.

Records Ron typically asks for

Game video, the official's game report and penalty records, the rulebook and age-level checking rules for that season, league and association policies, and incident reports.

How engagement works

Ron works only through the attorney on the case. A first call covers the incident, the level of play and your deadlines, at no cost. Ron then reviews the records, gives a verbal assessment, writes a report if you want one, and testifies at deposition and trial in any state.

Common questions

At what age is body checking allowed in USA Hockey?

Under USA Hockey's playing rules, body checking is not allowed at 12U and younger, in girls' and women's play, or in non-check adult leagues. Other governing bodies have their own rules, so the analysis starts with which rulebook governed the game.

Is checking from behind always a penalty?

Under USA Hockey rules, checking from behind is a penalty, and the rules put the burden on the player delivering the check to avoid hitting an opponent from behind.

Can Ron testify about a hockey referee's calls?

Yes. Ron reviews whether officials applied the rules and managed the game the way a reasonable official at that level would.

Last updated November 5, 2026 · Reviewed by Ron Kramer