Sports injury expert witness · Engaged through counsel nationwideron@standardofplay.com
Standard of PlayRon Kramer, sports rules and officiating expert
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Referee and officiating expert witness

Whether officials applied the rules, controlled the game and stepped in when play turned dangerous, from someone who has officiated for more than twenty years.

An officiating expert witness explains what a reasonable referee or official would have done in the game at issue: how play should have been controlled, which penalties the rules required, and how an injured player should have been handled. Ron Kramer covers soccer, hockey and lacrosse.

Questions an officiating expert answers

  • Game control. Did the officials recognize escalating play and use the tools the rules give them to stop it?
  • Rule enforcement. Were penalties, cautions and ejections called consistently with the rulebook in force?
  • Mechanics and positioning. Were officials positioned to see the play, and was the crew the right size for that level?
  • Injury response. Did officials stop play and follow the procedures for an injured or possibly concussed player?
  • Assignment and training. Did the league or assignor send officials certified for that level of play?

Sports covered

Soccer, ice hockey and lacrosse, at youth, high school, college and adult levels.

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

Can a referee's decisions be part of an injury case?

They can be, particularly where the question is whether officials failed to control a game or follow injury procedures. Whether that matters to liability is a legal question for counsel. Ron explains what a reasonable official would have done.

Last updated November 5, 2026 · Reviewed by Ron Kramer

Have a officiating case? Send the sport, level of play, incident date and deadlines.

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Other areas Ron reviews

Contact Ron about a case

Send the sport, the level of play, the date of the incident and your deadlines. Ron will reply to set up a short call. Please do not send confidential documents until a conflict check is done.

Emailron@standardofplay.com