Top 3 Reasons Real Grass Beats Artificial Turf (And What It Means for Injury Claims)

The debate over artificial turf versus natural grass on athletic fields has been going on for years. While synthetic surfaces promise durability and lower maintenance, a growing body of evidence suggests these benefits may come at a significant cost to player safety. From career-ending knee injuries to dangerous heat-related illnesses, the potential downsides of artificial turf are becoming too serious to ignore.

For parents, athletes, and the schools or cities that own these fields, understanding the differences is not just about performance—it is about safety and legal responsibility. At Walch Law, we have seen firsthand the devastating injuries that can occur on poorly maintained or defectively designed turf fields. This guide breaks down the top three reasons why natural grass is often the safer choice and explains what this means if you or a loved one has been injured.

1. Lower Risk of Severe Injuries

While no athletic surface is entirely without risk, natural grass generally offers a more forgiving playing field, which can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of certain injuries.

Better For Joints (Knees and Ankles): One of the biggest concerns with synthetic turf is its high level of traction. An athlete’s cleats can get “stuck” in the turf fibers during a cutting or pivoting motion. While the foot stays planted, the body’s momentum continues, placing immense rotational force on the knee and ankle. This is a primary mechanism for severe injuries like ACL and MCL tears. Natural grass, on the other hand, allows cleats to “give” or release from the soil and sod, reducing these dangerous forces.
Reduced Concussion Risk: A well-maintained grass field with a healthy soil base provides a softer surface for impact. Over time, the sub-layer of an artificial turf field can become compacted and hard, approaching the density of asphalt. A fall or head impact on this unforgiving surface can dramatically increase the severity of a concussion.
Fewer Abrasions and Infections: The dreaded “turf burn”—a painful skin abrasion from sliding on synthetic fibers—is more than just a nuisance. These open wounds are a direct gateway for dangerous bacteria like staph and MRSA, which can thrive in the warm, moist environment of a poorly sanitized turf field.

From a legal perspective, these risks are critical. If a field owner allows a turf surface to become overly compacted (exceeding safe G-max hardness levels) or fails to maintain it properly, they may be creating a “dangerous condition of public property” or be found negligent for failing to provide a safe environment.

2. Safer Temperatures and Fewer Environmental Health Concerns

On a hot California day, an artificial turf field can quickly become a dangerous place to play. This extreme heat poses a significant health risk that is not present with natural grass.

Cooler Surface Temperatures: Natural grass stays cool through a process called transpiration, where water evaporating from the blades cools the surrounding air. Artificial turf does the opposite; it absorbs and radiates heat. Surface temperatures on synthetic fields can routinely reach 30 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the surrounding air. A field surface hitting 150°F or more creates a serious risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and potentially fatal heatstroke.
Fewer Chemical Exposure Worries: Natural grass fields support a healthy ecosystem. Many synthetic turf systems, particularly older ones, use infill made from recycled “crumb rubber” tires, which can contain a mixture of heavy metals and other chemicals. Furthermore, emerging science is raising concerns about the use of PFAS “forever chemicals” in the manufacturing of some synthetic turf blades. The toxicity of turf is a major emerging area of personal injury and mass tort lawsuits we are handling.

When schools or leagues continue practices or games on dangerously hot turf fields without proper heat safety protocols (like frequent water breaks or cancellations), they are breaching their duty of care to protect athletes. This negligence can form the basis of a strong legal claim if a player suffers a heat-related illness.

3. More Obvious and Safer Maintenance Failures

Proponents of artificial turf often cite its “low-maintenance” nature. This is a dangerous misconception. While turf does not need mowing or watering, it requires a strict regimen of specialized care that is often neglected.

Hidden Dangers of Poor Turf Maintenance: Artificial turf needs to be regularly cleaned, sanitized, and groomed. The infill must be topped off to ensure proper cushioning, and G-max testing should be done to check for hard spots. Seams can come apart, creating trip hazards. When this maintenance is skipped, the field becomes progressively more dangerous in ways that are not always visible to the naked eye.
Visible Wear on Natural Grass: When a natural grass field wears down, the signs are obvious—bare patches of dirt, uneven ground, etc. While these can present their own hazards, they are typically less severe than the systemic failures of a compacted or worn-out turf field. The failure of artificial turf can be less apparent but far more dangerous, as an athlete may plant their foot on what looks like a perfect surface, only to have it be as hard as concrete underneath.

If a field owner or maintenance contractor fails to perform required inspections, testing, and repairs, they can be held liable for negligent maintenance. Similarly, if the turf system fails prematurely or does not perform to its safety specifications, the manufacturer may be liable for a product defect.

What to Do After an Injury on Artificial Turf

Get Medical Care: Seek an immediate medical evaluation for any injury.
Report the Incident: Inform a coach, league official, or property owner and make sure an official incident report is filed.
Document the Hazard: Take photos and videos of the field condition that caused the injury (e.g., a torn seam, worn-out patch, infill levels). If it was a heat-related incident, try to get a temperature reading of the field surface.
Preserve Your Footwear: Keep the shoes or cleats you were wearing at the time of the injury. Do not clean them.
Talk to Witnesses: Get the names and phone numbers of teammates, coaches, or other parents who saw what happened or are aware of the field’s condition.
Request Records: Your attorney can send a formal request for maintenance logs, G-max testing data, and the turf system’s original specifications.
Avoid Recorded Statements: Do not give a statement to any insurance adjusters or investigators. Politely refer them to your lawyer.
Contact an Attorney: The legal issues surrounding turf injuries are complex. A lawyer can help you navigate the process and protect your rights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is natural grass always safer than artificial turf?
Not necessarily. A poorly maintained, rutted, or uneven natural grass field can also be dangerous. However, a well-maintained grass field generally presents fewer risks for severe joint and heat injuries compared to a typical artificial turf field.

2. Can I sue if I get hurt on an artificial turf field?
Yes. If your injury was caused by a dangerous condition, negligent maintenance, or a defective product, you may have a valid claim against the property owner, installer, or manufacturer.

3. What if I signed a liability waiver?
You may still have a case. Waivers are often not enforceable if the injury was caused by gross negligence (a reckless disregard for safety) or involved a hazard that goes beyond the ordinary risks of the sport.

4. How fast do I have to act after an injury?
You must act quickly. If you were injured on a public field (owned by a city, county, or school), you have only six months to file a formal Government Claim. For injuries on private property, the statute of limitations is generally two years.

5. What compensation is available for a turf injury?
You may be entitled to compensation for all medical bills (past and future), lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and your physical pain and emotional suffering.

Walch Law Is Here to Help

An injury on the field of play can be life-altering. When that injury could have been prevented, you deserve justice. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Walch Law are here to help you hold negligent property owners and manufacturers accountable.

Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. We will listen to your story, evaluate your claim, and explain your options. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless and until we win your case.