All 50 states and the District of Columbia now have youth safety laws in place, intended to address the growing dangers of concussions as a result of playing football, as well as from other sports-related traumatic brain injuries.

Why?

Simply put, young football players are at great risk for brain injuries. In fact, a National Academy of Sciences study funded by the NFL found that teen football players are twice as likely as college players to suffer concussive injuries. In some cases — if negligence is a factor — you may be able to file a personal injury claim.

Short- and Long-Term Effects of Concussions

Immediate symptoms of a concussion often include drowsiness, confusion, headache, nausea and blurred vision. In some cases, these injuries cause a loss of consciousness, and many football players suffer memory loss about the circumstances of the injury.

With some injuries, however, symptoms are mild, and the player or coach may not recognize the injury. But even mild concussions can cause long-term or even permanent damage. (The dangers of playing football are dramatized in the movie Concussion, starring Will Smith.

Teens may suffer chronic headaches or migraines, dizziness, insomnia and emotional or behavioral changes. Some also have lifelong issues with learning and memory loss.

Concussions and Youth Football

According to the CDC, athletes who suffer one concussion are at greater risk for experiencing subsequent brain injuries.

Despite these alarming risk factors, many young athletes continue to play after being injured. Some — eager to get back into the game — ignore symptoms. Others, however, are allowed back into a game without a proper medical assessment, or before they have had an adequate chance to heal.

Why does this happen?

Many youth and high school football programs blame a lack of resources to adequately protect players. A doctor or athletic trainer may not be on the sidelines during practices or games. This means that the young, injured players must rely on their coach’s judgment as to whether they should continue to play.

To add to the danger, some school athletic programs do not use helmets approved by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment. This organization is dedicated to the research-based establishment of national safety standards for athletic participation.

Personal Injury Claims for Head Injuries

Not every football-related concussion injury will be a candidate for a personal injury claim, because negligence must be proven.

Players and their families may have grounds to file a lawsuit against coaches, athletic trainers or other responsible parties if the teens did not receive appropriate medical evaluations after the injury. This may also be the case if the players were ordered back into practice or a game without having enough time to completely recover.

The helmet players wore may also be a factor, as unsafe or poorly manufactured models may increase the risk for concussion.

Was your child injured during a football game or practice? If so, contact the Montgomery Dowdle Law Offices in Boise, Idaho, immediately to schedule a free consultation. Your child may require additional or ongoing care for a concussion or other traumatic brain injury as a result of playing football.

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Initial and Acute Treatment for TBI

It’s critical for head injury patients to receive medical treatment and a comprehensive diagnosis immediately after an accident occurs. Early evaluation allows for the identification and treatment of any condition that could potentially worsen or become life threatening. This may include spinal cord damage and swelling in the brain and nerve issues. The trauma team stabilizes the patient and the acute phase of treatment focuses on minimizing the risk of secondary injury and, if applicable, life support protocols. Medication may play a critical role in this phase of treatment for applications such as induced comas and seizure prevention.

Surgical Treatments for Head Injury

For many TBI sufferers, surgery is required to stabilize the patient. In most cases, surgery is not effective for repairing or improving the brain injury. Instead, surgical procedures may be used to stop intracranial bleeding or critical swelling in the brain. If the patient has suffered an open head injury, surgery may be required to repair the skull and scalp. The goal of surgical intervention is to preserve blood flow to the brain and minimize pressure, which in turn helps prevent secondary injury.

TBI and Head Injury Rehabilitation

Once the patient has been stabilized, little benefit results from remaining in a trauma care facility or hospital. Consequently, transfer to a rehabilitation facility is common. The rehab care team will monitor the patient’s condition to ensure that complications do not develop and, when possible, will help him or her regain function. Depending on the severity of the injury, the patient may have to relearn how to walk, talk or dress themselves. If cognitive damage exists, they may need to relearn to think. This period can be devastating to the patient’s family, as they watch their loved one struggle to regain their independence. In many TBI cases, the patient is permanently disabled, requiring constant care for the rest of their lives.

The attorneys of Montgomery Law help Boise accident victims and their families get their lives back. Traumatic brain injury can be devastating to a family. If negligence or a careless driver was to blame, contact Montgomery Law today to discuss your case. The caring professionals of Montgomery Dowdle will fight for your rights in spinal cord and brain injury cases.

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Local bar associations promote many worthwhile causes such as free legal help for abused children and legal education for young people. Along with the publicized pro bono assistance of attorneys, there is a great deal of help and countless hours of time provided to people in need that is only known and recognized by the individual person and the lawyer.  So while lawyers deserve their fair share of criticism, the public may not be aware that there are many lawyers who go about quietly helping people in need for free without any fanfare or publicity.

Below is a link to an article I enjoyed about a Michigan car accident law firm that offered scholarships to several young people involved in serious car crashes.  The participants wrote essays on their efforts to overcome life-changing injuries from automobile accidents and their efforts to get an education.  This article was published in PRWeb and can be read by clicking here.

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