Data collected from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) and 26 tort liability cases are examined as a basis for recommendations for gymnastics instructors, supervisors, and administrators. Tables supply supportive statistics for a discussion of gymnastics injuries classified by sex, body part injured, severity, and circumstances of injury. Elements used in bringing a suit based on negligence are reviewed: instruction, equipment, supervision, and administration. Trial procedures, defenses against negligence, and characteristics of plaintiffs and defendants in the cases are compared and discussed. Brief outlines of the cases and their outcomes are followed by a conclusion in which recommendations for gymnastics participants (students and instructors) are suggested. A glossary of legal terms is appended. (FG)