Yeah I agree man, In the grand scheme of things...Certain exercises may increase your chance of injury but I would never say that working side laterals is BAD for you. That muscle I train with VERY VERY LIGHT weight anyway.
I cant do them i have a left shoulder injurie, that i i think i got from doing side laterals one day. it may have been messed up to begin with but all i know is i felt it for the first time doign these bad boys. Once in a blue i do them, just to switch things up. But i go extremely light like as a finisher.