We have been hearing a lot about concussions in the news lately.
Concussions, though a mild form of TBI, have seen a rise as sports-related injuries in youth athletes all across the U.S., so it comes as no surprise that the National Football League has engaged in more efforts to protect its young players from sustaining brain injuries which may affect the rest of their lives.
What also comes as welcome news, the Washington Post reported that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in an effort to curb the danger of sports-related concussions, told Congress last week that it is dedicated to improving the safety of football helmets.
Concussions affect many athletes, not just football players. Basically, anyone involved in heavy-impact sports like boxing or wrestling, as well as baseball, basketball, soccer, and other sports which include a fast moving object, are in danger of sustaining a brain injury. Winter sports (skiing, ice-skating) are also notorious for the high-risk of concussions from falls, as are high-speed sports like car racing.
Wearing helmets is essential to protecting one’s head from injuries from a fall or being hit by a flying object. It is also essential to get checked by a doctor in case of a concussion, even if the patient does not lose consciousness.
Staying conscious after being hit on the head can have not just immediate effects like pain, dizziness, blurred vision, or nausea, but it can also affect the victim in the long run if the injury is left unchecked and untreated by a medical professional.
Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that most concussions occur without the loss of consciousness. Seeking medical help can help prevent further brain injury, or in some cases, death.
Usually mild concussions can be treated by your primary physician, but a more severe concussion needs a trip to the emergency room.
In case an athlete suffers from a concussion, then we urge them to rest following their injury and let the concussion heal before going back to practice. Athletes with previous concussions should be extra careful in the future, especially if they have experienced a loss of consciousness during previous concussions. They are at higher risk of suffering a more serious brain injury and death.
When to Contact a Brain Injury Attorney?
If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury in a sports-related incidents or a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts, and want to know if you have a case, call the Massachusetts brain injury lawyers at Kiley Law Group.
For a Free Case Evaluation call 1-800-410-2769.
The call is free, but the advice may be priceless.
