Traumatic Brain Injury in Sports

What are the numbers for traumatic brain injury? They may just surprise you. For instance, you may be surprised to know that there are 1.4 million annual brain injuries in the United States among all age groups. There are about 50,000 fatalities stemming from these accidents and another 250,000 hospitalizations. If you have children or know children that are involved in sports, then you may be astonished to find out that traumatic brain injuries are becoming alarmingly common in a way that is terrifying to many parents. These injuries are extremely serious and can cause life-altering effects, which many parents and children should be aware of. What all sports players must remember is that playing sports may be exhilarating, but it comes with many risks. You take the good with the bad.

In the past few years, sports and risks of concussions have received a lot more attention and scrutiny. Rules in many games are changing to prevent these risks and laws are being implemented to keep players safe. Anything can happen in a split second, from a cheerleader falling on her head to a head-to-head collision happening in a short game of football. Here are some ways that these accidents are being prevented since they have come to light:

Wear a helmet at all times on the playing field. Each sport has many options for specialized helmets and they should be properly fitted and maintained.
Follow safety rules for each sport.
Be familiar with the equipment that you are using in sports.
Know the signs and symptoms of a concussion.

Taking action can save a life when it comes to brain injury. If you believe that you have sustained an injury, you should always seek medical attention even if you think that the injury is “mild.” A healthcare professional will be able to tell you that it is either safe to return to the playing field or a good idea that you stay out for a little while. You should always have proper evaluation before a decision is made. What happens if your injury was caused by another person? What legal matters can be brought about?

What Do You Need to Prove in Your Claim?
You should always know the legal basis of your claim, as it will help you gather the evidence that you need to continue. Many brain injury lawsuits stem from something known as negligence, which will require you as the plaintiff to prove that the defendant is legally responsible for your injury. Did the defendant act unreasonably and caused you to become injured? Then they were probably acting negligently.

You may also be able to receive damages if the accident was caused due to somebody else’s negligence. There are two types of damages that you may look forward to: special damages and general damages. Special damages are economic losses like lost wages, lost earning capacity, and medical expenses. General damages refer to physical pain and suffering, humiliation and embarrassment, loss of consortium, and emotional distress. Head injury cases can get very expensive very quickly due to how serious they really are and the lasting effects they cause down the line. In a recent verdict, a Florida man received $26 million when he suffered permanent brain damage in an accident. This is why it is always a good idea to take care and precaution when dealing with sports. Sports can be fun, this much is true, but it pays to be safe!

If you have sustained a brain injury and it was the fault of another, you may have a claim against them. At Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, we have special experience dealing with traumatic brain injury. We can help you gain the compensation that you deserve! Call us today for a consultation so that we can answer your questions and help you through the next steps. We are there for you.

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