Click here to read Article published in Harvard Magazine. This article discusses how the new Xenith football helmet has been proven to reduce head injuries for football players.
On March 6, 2012 the San Francisco Chronicle published an article that discusses a recent publication in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine regarding the effects of even minor concussions on children, click here to read the full story. To read more about concussions and closed head injuries you can also visit our firms Brain Injury web site.
On 1/29/12 on CNN Dr. Sanjay Gupta did a documentary called "Big Hits, Broken Dreams". It focused on high school sports and the Second Impact Syndrome. This is a second head trauma while the athlete is trying to recover from an initial concussion. This can lead to sudden brain damage and death.
He noted that 1:10 football players have had a concussion. 40% returned to play the same game.
60% of those with a complete loss of consciousness, returned to play in the same game! This is the "warrior mentality" at work. We have to stop referring to this as "getting your bell rung" because it minimizes the problem. The NFL has seriously approached this subject, too.
If you or a loved one has been severely injured in a Sports accident, contact us at 415.421.7995 or toll free at 888.745.2988. We represent clients in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California.
As of 1/1/12 California has a new law dealing with concussions for school district athletics. The new law is Education Code, Section 49475. This subjects a school district to new liability for not following the law.
Section 49475(a) provides: If a school district elects to offer an athletic program, the school district shall comply with both of the following:
- An athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in an athletic activity shall be immediately removed from the activity for the remainder of the day, and shall not be permitted to return to the activity until he or she is evaluated by a licensed health care provider, trained in the management of concussions, acting within the scope of his or her practice. The athlete shall not be permitted to return to the activity until he or she receives written clearance to return to the activity from that licensed health care provider.
- On a yearly bais, a concussion and head injury information sheet shall be signed and returned by the athlete and the athlete's parent or guardian before the athlete's initiating practice or competition.
