Youth Sports And Concussions

In the NFL, concussions are so commonplace that there were over $500 million in claims over the past two years. After completing a baseline health assessment, players may be eligible for compensation for up to 60 years if they later acquire a qualifying condition such as dementia, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, or other issues related to concussions. That has resulted in the nearly 2,000 claims that have recently been compensated. It’s a good financial settlement for professional football players, but, unfortunately, youth athletes who play sports like football, soccer, rugby, and more, often experience the very same types of injuries while they’re still in school.  What’s being done for them?

No Two Concussions are the Same 

According to Dr. Kyle Yost, a University of Maryland Medical Center sports medicine physician, a proper recovery after suffering a concussion is essential. That being said, it can be difficult for that to occur. That’s because people are different, and experience concussive injuries in different ways, so diagnosing a recovery plan is tricky. Recently, there have been attempts to assist athletes through what’s known as active recovery when they have no symptoms. They can then return to play, but doctors should be on the watch for reemerging symptoms. 

MSBE Recognizes Dangers 

At the Maryland State Board of Education, the reality of concussions among high school athletes is a serious issue.  After all, about 60,000 athletes in both high school and college wind up with concussive injuries every year. That’s why they’ve created some new rules specifying the expectations related to these injuries. There are four key components of the new plan:

• Coaches are to receive additional training related to brain injuries.
• Parents must be given information about the risk of brain injuries.
• A timeline was established indicating how long injured players must sit out before returning to the sport.
• A task force has been assembled to make further recommendations before year’s end.

Lawsuit Seeks Damages 

When a 14-year-old girl suffered a head injury, her parents sued Premier Soccer Club, the coach, and some others alleging negligence because the indoor soccer facility had a wooden wall around the field, which was considered the boundary line. Because the facility was operating without a permit, the parents believed they deserved damages to address the injury. However, the court found that had the girls, the coach, or anyone else known there was no permit, it would not have changed anyone’s decision to participate or practice on the field.  Therefore, there was no proximate cause of injury.

A Lawsuit that’s Winnable 

If your child has experienced a serious head injury while playing sports, and the injury was the result of negligence, you may have a case worth pursuing. That could translate into money to address medical bills and more. The knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at The Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes understand the elements that must be proven in this type of case. If you think you may wish to sue, let our diligent attorneys take a look at your case. Schedule a confidential consultation in our Baltimore office today.