Risks Posed By Athletic Brain Injuries and How to Avoid Them
The risks associated with repeat traumatic brain injuries among athletes have come under heavy public scrutiny in recent years. Despite an increase in awareness of the problem, fatalities due to brain injuries continue to occur.
Take the case of a Mecklenburg County, Virginia, teenager who died as the result of blunt force trauma to the head sustained during a recent football game. Reports indicate the teen suffered a brain injury during a head-to-head hit that occurred just before half time.
According to CBS 6 News, the athlete was treated on the sidelines, but collapsed and began to suffer seizures before being rushed by ambulance to a local hospital. Unfortunately, the young man died before medical assistance could be administered.
Athletic committees and school boards from across the commonwealth have adopted policies aimed at reducing the risks of accidents like this, but one of the best ways that has been found to prevent serious head trauma is educating athletes about what they can do to stay safe on the field, including:
- Wear Recommended Safety Gear– While football players are required to wear helmets, studies have shown some types of helmets offer better protection than others. For sports like soccer and field hockey, headgears have been developed in recent years to offer athletes better protection from brain injury.
- Get Proper Training– Many football programs are now teaching a “heads up” hitting technique that’s aimed at reducing brain injury numbers among players.
- Report Your Injury– While many athletes are compelled to return to the field as soon as possible—with many not telling coaches or trainers about injuries they’ve suffered—this may not be wise. If you’re hurt during an athletic event, report your injury to team management as soon as possible.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the risks athletes face on the field and our team of Norfolk personal injury lawyers hope these tips help to keep you or your athlete safe.
