Chicago Brain Injury Lawyer Blog

The risk of traumatic brain injury exists in many physical sports, but the danger is perhaps most evident in football. The game of football is built around contact. While other activities involve incidental contact, football incorporates hard hits, knocks, and collisions as an integral part of the game. Each Chicago brain injury attorney at our firm knows that is why it remains particularly important for players, parents, coaches, trainers, school administrators, referees, and others to do everything in their power to keep players safe on the gridiron.

While the focus of most sports brain injury prevention efforts is on younger players—often middle school and high school athletes—it is professionals who often face the most prolonged problems. As we’ve often mentioned, one of the main dangers of these injuries is that head trauma, like a concussion, goes undiagnosed and untreated. Without proper rest, the injury never fully heals. The more contact that is experienced the greater the injury. Professionals spend countless hours on the field during games and in practice taking tough hit after tough hit. Most players have been involved in the game since they were very young. Therefore, even professionals who are only twenty five years old may have already had twenty years of nonstop hard knocks on the head. Even when the injuries do not result in cataclysmic, deadly injuries, the overall harm caused by those years of prolonged contact can affect the players for the rest of their lives.

This idea is what lies at the heart of recent brain injury lawsuits filed by former players of the National Football League. Tony Dorsett, a former running back and member of the NFL Hall of Fame is one of the main voices leading the charge to raise awareness of player safety. Dorsett explains that head injuries during his eleven years as a professional, from 19977 to 1988, have affected him since. In the lawsuit that Dorsett filed with at least 300 other former players, he alleges that much more should have been done to protect players from long-term injury and make them aware of the potential dangers. Because of the lack of basic safeguarding, the lawsuit claims, many former players face decades of mental and physical problems after they retire.

Boston News published an extended story on the issue. The article notes that documents filed which initiated that brain injury lawsuit essentially claim that the NFL culture (run by owners and the commissioner’s office) was indifferent about the long-term effects on the athletes. Dorsett explained that he expects his future to be faced with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and similar brain conditions as a result of the repeated knocks that he took as a player. Instead of providing support to prevent long-term injury, Dorsett explains that he was actually encouraged to keep playing even when he was clearly hurt and needed recuperation.

In a nod to the growing importance of the issue, during this weekend’s Super Bowl, a one-minute ad aired which highlighted rule changes that have made the sport safer over the years. However, those changes alone are likely insufficient to avoid all liability if involved parties were negligent in the past with regard to player health.

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Head Injury Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Ex-Football Players

Former Illinois Athletes File Brain Injury Lawsuit Against Eastern Illinois University

Advocates hoping to enact legal changes to prevent sports head injuries usually focus on increased accountability requirements and mandatory steps when those involved in leading the team are given information about a possible traumatic brain injury. For example, a new California law requires high school coaches to look for the often subtle signs that a brain injury—like a concussion—has been suffered. The law essentially requires coaches to have a basic level of knowledge about spotting concussion and to take action to pull a player out to rest if those signs are spotted.

As we have explained, incredibly serious risks are taken when a player continues to play after suffering a concussion. As one neuropsychologist in the area explained, a chemical imbalance in the brain created by the traumatic impact on the head often leads to problems in parts of the brain connected to learning and memory. The imbalance causes a drop in brain blood-flow, meaning that the brain is not receiving the nutrients it needs. He continues by remarking, “That is why it’s so important that right after the injury happens that the brain get rest. Rest, rest, and more rest.”

Interestingly, the doctor also suggested that mental rest means much more than simply not going back into the game for awhile. He also suggested that things like computer use and TV viewing be curtailed. In addition, intense academic studying should be stopped during this time, because these activities require brain exertion which uses nutrients needed to correct the imbalance. The neuropsychologist admitted than even doctors sometimes make the mistake of having concussion victims go back into the classroom too soon after the injury. Instead, the doctor recommends that consistent tests be given to monitor the recovery. These tests usually involve memory games with verbal and visual cues.

Sadly, when the concussion is not noticed at all, players are not given any time to heal. That means not only do they keep playing—risking a life-threatening second-impact injury—but they exert their mind in the classroom and via other stimuli. As a result, their brains often never heal at all. This could lead to lifetime of performance problems and even emotional damage. The laws passed essentially seek to eliminate these risks by making it more likely for a concussion to be identified.

Unfortunately, each Chicago brain injury attorney at our firm understands that passing a law is one thing, getting it to actually be following 100% of the time is another. It is likely that many coaches, administrators, trainers, and others will fail to abide by provisions put in place to keep players safe. When they don’t act appropriately and a health problem develops, then the law provides an avenue for recourse. For those obstinate individuals who don’t take the issue seriously, it is usually only after they are held accountable via a brain injury lawsuit, that they finally take the seriousness of the situation to heart. It is only then that our players will truly be as safe as possible when on the field, pitch, or rink.

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Parent Files Lawsuit Against Youth Sports Association

Big Hit, Broken Dream—Brain Injury Documentary Highlights Seriousness of Concussions

While it has so far been a particularly mild winter here in Chicago, if history is any guide we can still expect to have our fair share of cold, snowy days in the coming weeks and months. To beat the winter blues, many local residents try to add a little fun into the season by taking advantage of snow sports like skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and similar activities. These winter escapades have actually grown in popularity in recent years as increased promotion of “extreme” sports has made national celebrities out of some of the athletes involved, like snowboarding champion Shuan White.

Our Chicago brain injury attorneys hope that all local, amateur winter sport participants stay cognizant of the risk that are associated with these sports. Like many other sports—football, hockey, soccer—winter activities often present the risk of falls onto hard snow or ice at high speeds. These falls can lead to significant head trauma, often resulting in concussions or even more serious harm. That is why it is important for local residents to take precautions to limit these falls, and, where appropriate, recognize the signs of traumatic brain injury so that proper treatment can be sought.

An article in this weekend’s Standard-Examiner touched on the same issues. The story noted that many department of health officials have issued warnings to local residents. Those warning have explained that hundreds of winter revelers have already suffered traumatic brain injuries in a range of sports from skiing and sledding to ice skating. Many officials are asking residents to be sure to wear proper equipment when they engage in activities that might present the risk of serious harm. Helmets are crucial. Experts studying the statistics concerning these winter accidents have found that two-thirds of all victims of winter sports-related brain injuries were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

Some high-profile tragedies have also been reported this winter season. For example, winter sports star Sarah Burke died this month while training for this year’s Winter X Games. The 29-year old half pipe skiing champion had been known as a pioneer in the sport, and was widely regarded as the best in the world. However, while practicing earlier this month she fell, hit awkwardly, and had her vertebral artery rupture. The injury triggered cardiac arrest which caused irreversible brain damage and ultimately led to her death from oxygen deprivation. It was a terrible loss and another reminder of the danger of many of these activities.

Of course there are many other high-profile examples of winter activities tragedies. Tony-Award winning actress Natasha Richardson died a few years ago at age 45 after a skiing accident. She apparently suffered what looked to be only a minor fall at a ski resort. However, after waiving off help, Richardson’s condition deteriorated. Her condition worsened over the few hours after the crash. Eventually she was diagnosed with severe bleeding on the brain that ultimately took her life. Many argue that had Richardson received immediate attention for her injury she might have been able to survive the incident.

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Be Careful on the Slopes: Professional Freestyle Skier in Critical Condition After Brain Injury

Actress’s Death Brings Awareness to Brain Injuries

Gulf Breeze News discussed a new brain injury lawsuit this week. The suit was filed by a mother on behalf of her son who suffered brain injuries while playing youth football. The lawsuit names both the sports association which sponsored the football game and the makers of the football helmet, Riddell. According to those documents filed with the court, the mother claims that the helmet that her son was wearing was defective and that the association responsible for checking the equipment’s safety failed to do so, leading to his injury.

The 14-year old victim was in eighth grade when he was playing the game late one summer a few years ago. Apparently the boy was in the middle of a kickoff return—where players from both sides are running full speed at one another—when he took at particularly vicious hit from an opposing player running at top speed. The boy was slow to get up, but he eventually made it back to the sidelines. However, as soon as he got there his head began to ache. He took off his helmet and should pads and lay on the sidelines. The boy explained, “Everything got blurry. My headache was 100 times worse than any headache I’ve ever had.”

It wasn’t long before coaches and parents realized the boy was in serious trouble. An ambulance was called and he was rushed to the hospital where he underwent immediate surgery. Doctors discovered that the boy brain’s had shifted to the left causing it to hit the side of his skull. This led to bleeding on the brain. The child ultimately required removal of part of his skull to relieve swelling and the insertion of tube to drain blood. The child was fortunate to have survived the traumatic brain injury, but he didn’t end up unscathed. He faces a lifetime of disability which will result in physical impairment and mental problems.

After seeking out legal help to understand exactly what happened, investigations have revealed, claim the family, that the helmet did not provide sufficient support and protection. The lawsuit alleges that the interior lining of the helmet was supposed to inflate to prevent serious contact, but that inflation did not occur as designed. Questions are also being raised about the overall design of manufacturing process for the helmet, which the family alleges contributed to the harm.

Our Chicago brain injury lawyers have written extensively about sports-related brain injuries over the past few months. Hopefully the increased nationwide awareness of these issues will help to ensure reasonable steps are taken by those in a position to do so to prevent harm to young athletes. Illinois brain injury lawsuits are appropriate in these contexts when parents or other involved parties believe that others failed to take reasonable steps which could have prevented serious harm to an athlete.

This case—of defective equipment—is one common way that an injury can occur because of negligence. Another of the most basic mistakes might be the failure to recognize that a child is injured and needs to come out of a game and rest. Second impacts to the head following a concussion that has not properly healed can be particularly damaging. All those running these leagues must be aware of that risk and guard against it properly.

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“Big Hit, Broken Dream”—Brain Injury Documentary Highlights Seriousness of Concussions

Start-Up Company Focuses on Combating Youth Sports Concussions

A story this week from Summit Health Sciences began with the provocative title “Concussion Breakthrough?” As we reported yesterday, concussion research—particularly in the sports context—is receiving a large push from advocates hoping to prevent their occurrence and limit deadly subsequent head injuries. Our Chicago brain injury attorneys understand that the focus of most research is not necessarily on concussion prevention. It is a bit unrealistic to assume that there will not be physical contact sufficient to cause a concussion in the midst of certain activities. Of course protective gear and rule changes can be implemented to try to limit the chance of traumatic contact, but these efforts are not realistically going to drop the concussion rates to zero. This is no different than conceding that we cannot stop every single car accident and the potential for a traumatic brain injury resulting from them.

However, much focus has been given to the best ways of actually identifying concussions and providing proper treatment. At this point, the young athletes’ health can best be protected not by taking away all chance of suffering a head injury, but by ensuring that the injury is not aggravated and that necessary treatment is received.

The apparent “concussion breakthrough” is similarly geared toward reducing the harm cause by the injury.

The breakthrough refers to a newly approved antioxidant product that claims to immediately increase the level of uric acid in the human body. It is suggested that this indirectly strengthens one’s immune system and prevents the build-up of dangerous free radicals. The maker of the product is arguing that there is evidence that a significant portion of damage from traumatic brain injuries (including concussions) is caused by oxidative stress or inflammation of the brain. Proponents of the natural product argue that anything that reinforces the immune system to combat brain inflammation may go a long way to minimizing brain damage following one of these injuries.

The makers of the product are apparently working with a major university of a study the effects of the product in relation to brain injuries. The lead researchers explained, “We cannot prevent concussions, but our scientists believe that a stronger immune system can significantly reduce the recovery time and minimize the overall damage of these injuries.”

While all possible efforts to improve the well being of injury victims should be encouraged, our Illinois traumatic brain injury lawyers realize that certain things have to be taken with a grain of salt. While natural remedies such as this may very well be found to have some real effect on recovery and treatment for victims, it is important not to exaggerate the apparent benefits. At the end of the day we have to rely on our expert medical researchers to continue delving into the mysteries of the brain to determine exactly how to prevent deterioration and encourage improvement. As with anything, it is important to separate the claims of those with a financial incentive in a product to the product’s actual ability to help in the way that it is intended.

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Thin Neck Collars May Prevent Sports Head Injuries

NFL to Train Referees to Identify Brian Injuries

The Daily Breeze reported earlier this week on a new documentary on the dangers of traumatic brain injuries—particularly concussions—that is hoping to coincide with the fervor of Super Bowl season. Each Chicago brain injury lawyer at our firm has become familiar with the dangers of sports-related brain injuries, most notably those affecting young athletes in sports like football, hockey, and soccer. There has been much attention devoted to these issues over the past couple years. However it remains unclear if that attention has trickled down to those who are most in a position to prevent the injuries from occurring or ensuring that they are properly treated.

That is where the documentary comes in. The creators are hoping to use the film to truly hammer home the seriousness of the issue to parents, coaches, school administrators, trainers, and the young athletes themselves. The documentary push is being spearheaded by CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Entitled “Big Hit, Broken Dreams,” the film is scheduled to air for the first time this Sunday. There will be three different showings—5pm, 8pm, and 11pm—so hopefully many will get the chance to watch the material and arm themselves with vital safety information about this very real concern. The documentary apparently focuses most on football, where the issue of traumatic brain injury and concussions are most apt—but its lessons can be applied to any sport where physical contact occurs.

One problem, says Gupta, is that the issue is receiving attention generally but the seriousness of it is not taking root. In other words, more people than in the past realize that concussions are a problem. However, fewer truly understand that concussions are not some trivial knock on the head that can be brushed off. Dr. Gupta noted, “I personally think the term ‘concussion’ itself almost needs to be changed because while it’s an accurate term, it sort of minimizes the symptoms that result.” Our Chicago injury lawyers wholeheartedly agree.

Instead, all those involved need to understand that a concussion is a brain injury caused by trauma to the head. It isn’t “like” a brain injury or in some special category of less serious accident—it has the potential to lead to just as much long-term damage as other head trauma cases. That is why it continues to be a pressing concern for those in the athletic world to understand how to identify the injury immediately. The worst harm always comes when a concussion is missed, meaning that the brain does not have time to heal before more trauma is inflicted.

The most common concussion symptoms include confusion, headaches, ringing the ears, and blurred vision. Unlike what some may mistakenly believe, one need not lose consciousness to have a concussion. The damage can occur anytime that one’s head experiences significant trauma. According to Dr. Gupta, he was spurred to take a harder line on concussions when he heard about the case of 16-year old high school football star Jaquan Waller. Waller died a few years ago from what is known as “second-impact syndrome.” This occurs when the brain swells suddenly following a second concussion which is experienced before the first concussion has a chance to heal.

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Head Injury Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Ex-Football Players

Former Illinois Athletes File Brain Injury Lawsuit Against Eastern Illinois University

While football, hockey, and soccer injuries garner the most attention when it comes to sports related traumatic brain injury, other activities present just as much risk of harm. As winter season descends upon our area in full force many more residents are likely to take advantage of the season and hit the ski slopes. January and February are always some of the most popular times for local community members to travel to nearby resorts and try out skiing and snowboarding—one of the most common wintertime recreational activities. While our Illinois brain injury lawyers certainly are not advising against this activity, it is important to be fully aware of the risks that the skiing poses and be cognizant of the safety measures that need to be followed.

Over the years many high-profile accidents have taken the lives of those who were skiing like Sonny Bono, Natasha Richardson, and others. For each of the well-known cases there are thousands more skiing accidents where others have either died or suffered serious traumatic head injuries. It is not had to imagine how these accidents come about. When traveling down the snow, many skiers reach pretty significant speeds. If for whatever reason one loses control and falls, the head often makes contact with the hard, compacted ground. The damage to the brain is often pronounced.

The risk exists for both new skiers who are more likely to fall as well as professional athletes who are more likely to reach top speeds and take riskier moves. This week the Washington Post reported on one professional Canadian freestyle skier who remains in critical condition after a devastating fall. The victim, Sarah Burke, was a four times X Games champion and pioneer in the sport of halfpipe skiing. The accident happened while practicing in Utah. According to reports she tore a vertebral artery in the fall—an artery which is located in the neck and supplies blood to the back part of the brain. That part of the brain is most often used to control functions like balance and vision.

Doctors explain that the tearing can be caused by severe twisting motions. In addition, the artery may be damaged if there is a sudden up and down motion of the head. It remains unclear what the long-term effects will be for the victim. She is currently still in a coma. She just had a successful operation to repair the torn artery that caused the bleeding in the brain.

One of the victim’s teammates was near the half pipe when the accident happened. He explained that it didn’t look like that severe of a fall at the time. This is similar to observations made by those near Natatsha Richardson when she fell on the slopes and hit her head a few years ago. Observers noted that she actually got back up and appeared to be doing fine. It wasn’t until later that the effects of the traumatic brain injury were actually exacerbated and she began to suffer serious problems. This should be a testament to all those who suffer any sort of fall while skiing. Just because a fall seems minor, any symptom—even the slightest—should be taken seriously.

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11-Year Old Dies From Brain Trauma Despite Wearing Helmet

Actress’s Death Brings Awareness to Brain Injuries

We often post about the latest in brain injury medical research and treatment. Lately is seems like a lot of news has been about traumatic brain injuries—the work to prevent them as well as treat them. This is likely a product of medical science advances which have allowed experts to better diagnose and understand the harm caused to those who experience head trauma. Before this was available many victims of brain injuries never actually knew that they had been affected. Instead the problems that they experienced were usually cast aside as caused by other factors or simply part of one’s own natural personality or ability.

Perhaps this recent change in awareness is best exhibited in the context of sports head injuries. In the past most knocks and falls that were experienced on the football field, soccer pitch, or hockey rink were brushed aside as natural and harmless bumps. However, a wealth of new research into the long-term consequences of these incidents has found that those previous assumptions are wrong. Even seemingly innocuous actions like heading a soccer ball may, done enough, have actual long-term effects on the unsuspecting youth players. Our Chicago brain injury attorneys know that with increasing awareness of these harms comes increasing responsibilities on the part of involved adults to step up and take reasonable steps to prevent long term harm. Civil negligence law demands nothing less.

Fortunately many groups and efforts have popped up recently working to help take this new medical awareness into account to help players. For example, Tech Flash reported about a relationship between a startup company called Korrio and Axion Sports to integrates online concussion detection tools and sports automation platforms. The joint effort seems like a fantastic partnership geared toward helping to keep players safe. Korrio is an organization that helps youth sports teams streamline their registrations, rosters, and scheduling issues. Axion is a company that provides online concussion tools for youth soccer.

As a result of the effort the organizational company is using Axion Sports’ Computerized Cognitive Assessment Tool (CCAT) to create personal player dashboards. This will allow youth players to take an online cognitive test from anywhere. This test will act as the “before” snapshot of the player’s healthy brain functioning. Attention span, processing speed, learning, and working memory are all evaluated as part of the test. Later the test can be taken again, after a certain serious contact or repeated small contact, to determine if a traumatic brain injury like a concussion has actually occurred.

Our brain injury attorneys were particularly interested to learn that the process is being streamlined so that it is simple and inexpensive. Right now Korrio representatives explain that it will take about 10 minutes for the test to be completed and cost about $10 per child. The test itself is in the form of a game, similar to solitaire, that measures the speed and accuracy of players’ answers to certain questions. The overall goal of the program, says the company, is to move families away from mere awareness of the dangers of concussions to actual active concussion management. The test can be taken at home and certain sports organizations might decide to mandate the test upon registration to ensure that all players head health is accounted for and measured safely throughout a season.

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Pediatricians Say Boxing Not Safe for Kids & Teenagers

Former Illinois Athlete Files Brain Injury Lawsuit Against Eastern Illinois University

The dangers of sports related head injuries have filled many headlines recently. The combination of high-profile brain injury lawsuits, head injuries among professional and amateur athletes, and new research into these topics have all coalesced to raise the profile of these dangers over the last year or two. Every day brings new, relevant information for those involved in these matters.

That is why is was encouraging to see a new online effort that attempts to better catalog all relevant information for sports brain injury victims. Known as the “Sports Concussion Library,” the website seeks to offer a wide-range of information on sports head injuries. According to information provided at the site’s launch, the library is intended to be a collection of information for all actors, from researchers and athletes to parents, coaches, first responders, and educational institutions. As our Chicago brain injury lawyers have frequently explained when discussing these situations, it is incumbent upon all of these involved actors to take the necessary steps to educate themselves on the risks and work to prevent the harm.

The Library is a non-profit, free publically accessible information storehouse including journal articles, book chapters, documentaries, legislative news, and other information related to head injuries resulting from all athletic events. It also has links to relevant websites with basic concussion information and non-commercial educational sites.

For example, researchers into the area will likely find useful links to recent published research from the Sports Neurotrauma and Concussion Initiative Research Committee. Other university-affiliated research projects are also included. It is hoped that the research section of the site will become a “point of contact” for all those involved in these effects and better understand the causes and effects of these injuries.

The non-researcher will likely benefit from other aspects of the site. Parents are encouraged to watch relevant documentaries with their athlete children in order to learn more about the personal stories of those who have suffered as a result of these injuries. It is always difficult for parents to get their eager young athlete to step back and think about the consequences of not acting safely, but personal stories from other young people is always one of the more effective strategies. Parents, coaches, and personal trainers are encouraged to explore the free SCAT2 system and read general information about sports safety and common prevention and basic treatment steps.

The institutions which sponsor these athletic events (usually schools and universities) will also find important information in the library. These institutions must take an active role in preventing these injuries and providing proper treatment for athlete victims to ensure long-term harm is minimized. Along those lines, these institutions can find information on the latest relevant legislation and documentaries targeting the educational based component of the initiative. For example, on the website there is a list of sports-related concussion guidelines for teachers, “return to play” guidelines and an “ABC” primer of the problem. A fact sheet for school nurses is also provided with a concussions signs and symptoms checklist so that these important actors can step in and identify head injuries when they arise.

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Two More Former Football Players File Illinois Concussion Lawsuit Against NCAA

Head Injury Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Ex-Football Players

News & Insights reported last week on a new head injury lawsuit filed by former NFL players alleging misconduct on the part of league officials. The new injury lawsuit was filed on behalf of twelve former players against the National Football League claiming that the league did not properly inform them of the actual risks associated with concussions. In addition, the suit further alleges that the league officials used a drug repeatedly which was shown to increase the likelihood of brain bleeding in players who had already experienced head injuries. These accusations are similar to a few other lawsuits that have recently been filed against both the NFL and the NCAA related to their apparent lack of proper response to the prevention and treatment of brain injuries at the collegiate and professionals level.

In this latest suit, the players allege that the league officials had access to “overwhelming medical evidence” which suggested that on-field concussions led directly to long-term brain injuries that would have consequences for victims for their entire lives—long after their playing days were over. The plaintiffs suggest that the NFL could have protected players from some of these injuries or, at the very least, properly warned them of the specific dangers. The lawsuit claims that the league failed on both accounts, leading to severe consequences for many now-retired athletes.

While other brain injury lawsuits against the NFL have suggested that the league failed to do all it could have to prevent head injuries, this latest suit is the first to bring in the use of the drug Toradol. Toradol is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory that many players were given to reduce pain before a game. The drug apparently masked pain from injury—allowing players to continue in a game that they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to play in. However, medical researchers have found that the drug also induces cerebral bleeding (bleeding on the brain). That bleeding in turn significantly increases the risk that the player will experience a long-term brain injury. This serious negative effect makes it particularly disturbing to learn that many former players admit that they lined up in “cattle call” fashion to receive injections of the drug. All former players who were named in this suit claim that they suffer from a range of problems as a result of the NFL’s actions. Those include memory issues, depression, migraines, and other mental impairments.

The suit further alleges that the NFL was guilty of negligence, misrepresentation, and concealment as it related to these issues. In rebuttal, NFL officials have refuted all charges that they intentionally mislead players, and they explained that they continue to make safety a priority. Apparently this lawsuit was supposed to be filed months ago, but it was delayed as the involved players participated in a global traumatic brain injury compensation fund to help players hurt by these actions. However, the terms agreed to in a new collective bargaining agreement that was reached this year are different from those originally part of the compensation fund, prompting the filing of this matter.

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Head Injury Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Ex-Football Players

Former Illinois Athletes File Brain Injury Lawsuit Against Eastern Illinois University

A growing number of athletes have now died as a result of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)—a brain injury caused by repeated head trauma. CTE acts much like Alzheimer’s on the victim’s brain, leading to a wide range of problems. Time Magazine recently reported on the harm caused by CTE and the need to take a harder look at ways to help athletes who may have fallen victim.

CTE has been shown to lead to memory loss, psychosis, and impulsive behavior. It is this impulsive behavior that often prompts the troubling deaths of victims. For example, the latest victim was twenty eight year old NHL superstar Derek Boogaard who died last year of a drug and alcohol overdose. A few years ago a professional football player died after trying to jump into the back of a speeding pick-up truck. Before that a former wrestler murdered his wife and son before committing suicide. Last year a college football player committed suicide though he had never before exhibited any signs of distress, concussion or illness. All of these players were later diagnosed as having CTE upon post-mortem examination of their brains.

Our Chicago injury lawyers are concerned that what makes CTE particularly troublesome is that it can affect all athletes, even those not in the professional ranks. The cause of the injury is relatively simple. The brain sits in a fluid which helps absorb certain blows to the head. However, that fluid cannot absorb all blows, and there are times when head trauma causes the brain to twist and rattle in the head, often making contact with the inside of the skull. That contact can result in brain swelling and bleeding, both of which can have significant health consequences for victims. Nerve fibers are often damaged in these situations. Usually the brain tries to heal itself, but without proper recovery, there is often not enough time to heal. In other words, if a player suffers head damage and then keeps on playing, the minor dings and hits can continue cause damage and prevent the brain from healing itself.

That failure to heal results in deposits of tau proteins building up on the brain. Some doctors have referred to the proteins as “sludge” which leads to the mental problems characteristic of CTE. It is the same protein build up which causes Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. However, this damage cannot be diagnosed while one is alive, because tau proteins are impossible to detect inside a living person’s brain. Instead, it is only after their death that an autopsy can allow a brain to be sliced and microscopic protein build ups to be identified.

Our Chicago brain injury attorneys agree with the article author who notes that the best cure at the moment is smart prevention. All athletic programs must ensure tougher rules are in place to identify when a head injury has occurred and demand appropriate rest when identified. Also, rules limiting the most damaging type of hits must be in place to ensure that the game does not become deadly for those involved.

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Sports and Traumatic Brain Injuries

In Illinois, Treating Brain Injuries May Now Be In Our Own Hands

It is one thing to be ignorant of the risks of sports head injuries, it is another to knowingly fail to take those risks as seriously as necessary. According to a Fox News story this week, many brain injury researchers have voiced displeasure at the fact that U.S. soccer officials are not taking new evidence of the effect of their activities on player health into enough account. As our Chicago brain injury attorneys have discussed over the past few weeks, results of a high-profile study suggest that many soccer players may face serious long-term problems as a result of frequent “heading” of the soccer ball.

Dr. Michael Lipton, the lead author of the study recently explained that the involved soccer officials were too dismissive of the study’s findings—a perspective that may ultimately place more players than necessary in danger of long-term brain injuries. As we earlier reported, the study found significant brain trauma in players who frequently headed the ball. The trauma was indicative of that found in most concussion patients. White matter in the brain that is responsible for a variety of memory, vision, and attention functions were affected.

The “frequency” of heading which was shown to have long-term effects was roughly 1,000-1,500 headers per year. Those involved in the study were all young professionals who played in amateur soccer leagues and who had been involved in the sport from a very young age. Of course, the participants were not individuals whose injuries made them incapable of functioning in society. Instead, the harm was more subtle, often affecting in small ways certain mental abilities. Essentially, the doctors were concerned that the affected players were not as mentally sharp as they could be had they not sustained the damage.

The doctors also noted that there were many similarities between these accidents and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) frequently suffered by football players. CTE is virtually undetectable in brain scans of living people; however the damage can be seen in autopsies. Essentially, CTE causes accumulations of tau proteins (as in Alzheimer’s patients) that kill brain cells responsible for emotions, moods, and executive functioning. Clearly, considering the potential severity of consequences caused by these soccer head injuries, those involved in the sport should address the matter aggressively.

However, that may not be the case. The executive director of US Youth Soccer questioned the studies variability. He noted that “the main concern we have is the data isn’t quite specific enough in regards to heading as the cause of concussions.” In other words, the director suggests that other impacts may have caused the trauma. The researchers addressed that point by explaining that study participants were measured for other actions throughout the year which may have led to brain trauma. Factoring in those other potential variables returned the same result. The doctor announced clearly the research team was “confident that the white matter damage we saw came from heading.” The Illinois brain injury lawyers at our firm know that it is vital for this research to be taken into account by those charged with keeping players safe.

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Sports and Traumatic Brain Injuries

In Illinois, Treating Brain Injuries May Now Be In Our Own Hands

Earlier this week we discussed the somewhat startling new research which found that soccer players may be at risk of developing sports brain injuries as a result of repeatedly “heading” the soccer ball during games and practice. Our Chicago brain injury lawyers explained how this posed significant concerns for student athletes who may have been involved in these games for years. Considering that only a few headers a day over the course of a period of time was shown to result in some brain damage, it is imperative for those involved in these sports to be aware of the dangers and prepared to take action if necessary. Even slight head trauma, when repeatedly applied, can have serious consequences for victims. As a result, there is no excuse for all those involved in the safety of players—from coaches and referees to school administrators and trainers—to have proper procedures in place to identify players who may have suffered a brain injury and to ensure they are properly treated.

As new information about these injuries spread, many are asking questions about the long-term consequences that may have afflicted some. For example, professional soccer players likely have had immense numbers head contact over the years. The long-term affect that the small , but consistent, trauma has had is as of yet unknown. But that is not stopping some from making serious claims about how some professional players may have been affected. Opposing Views News this week discussed the tragic case of one of the legends of soccer—Gary Speed. Speed was only 42-years old when he took his own life last week. He left behind a wife and two teenage children. His death was shocking to all those who knew him, and has led to many questions being asked about why his life ended as it did.

One explanation that some have already mentioned, was that he may have suffered brain damage as a result of his many years of play. Speed was known specifically for his unique ability to head the ball—over his years of playing it actually became one of his calling cards. Speed is certainly not the first well known football player, boxer, or hockey player to commit suicide. As the story explains a condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy has been found after autopsies were conducted on players who have taken their own lives on nearly two dozen occasions. In February of this year former Pro-Bowl safety for the Chicago Bears, Dave Dureson, also committed suicide, and he was found to have this traumatic brain injury at the time of his passing.

Suicides often present an incredibly complicated mix of mental, social, emotional, physical, and psychological issues. They likely cannot be explained solely by pointing to one issue. However, our Chicago injury lawyers believe that it is not at all unlikely that brain injuries may at least play a role in these incidents. Many mysteries of the brain remain, and it is premature to rule out anything yet when it comes to understanding the consequences of these injuries.

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Sports head injuries are often in the news, especially as new research sheds more light on the specific risks faced by players. Most often the stories are centered on football players, because the very nature of the game is built on physical contact between players. However, there are many other sports frequently played by youth which offer similar risks of head injuries. A comprehensive assessment of brain injury risks in youngsters must take those alternative risks into account.

For example, a Fox News study yesterday discussed new research which found a significant risk of harm when soccer players “head” the soccer ball. Of course, soccer usually involves using feet to move the ball, but especially at more advanced levels, using one’s head while jumping to direct the ball is common. Yet, these common moves pose dangers of which many players and families may be unaware. According to the research highlighted in the article, even just a few headers a day can lead to a brain injury. This is troubling news considering that, even if players do not perform many headers in a game, virtually all athletes likely practice the headers consistently when not in a game. That practice maybe harmful.

The researchers used advanced MRI-based techniques to scan the brain of youth soccer players. Those scans were then compared against headers that the players made during the previous year. Results suggested that those who headed the ball most exhibited signs similar to patients who had suffered concussions. For amateur players who headed a ball between 1,000 to 1,500 times a year, the injuries were often significant. It is important to note that those figures represent only a few headers a day, which is not at all uncommon for those who play often—such as high school or college players.

Brain researchers have learned recently that while some small trauma may not cause damage in isolation, repeated small trauma may have the same effects as one significant trauma. The trauma of a single header cannot lacerate nerve fibers in the brain (a sign of injury), but repetitive headers can set off “a cascade of responses that can lead to degeneration of brain cells.”

The Chicago injury lawyers at our firm continue to encourage parents, coaches, schools officials, school trainers, referees, and all others involve in these activities to remain alert to these brain damage risks. The fact that these activities pose a risk of injury is not at all a suggestion that children should not be involved in these games. However, it does mean that there need to be logical procedures in place to prevent harm from going unnoticed or not taking reasonable steps which would keep players safe. The increased awareness of the issue and growing medical knowledge about the cause of the harm makes it even more important for these reasonable steps to be taken. For the vast majority of youth sports players, the games will end relatively early in their lives. It is never worth having lifelong problems because of basic safety errors committed during one of these games.

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Sports brain injuries continue to make headlines as local youth football and soccer seasons begin winding down for the year and hockey season picks up. Most blog readers know that the head trauma that often occurs in physical sports can lead to significant injuries for players. However, new research reported by the University of Rochester Medical Center today explains that even routine—seemingly non-traumatic—hits could actually cause injury. These brain injuries are a stage below what would be classified as a concussion. The research was originally reported in the journal Magnetic Resonance Imaging and stems from brain scans of high school football and hockey players. A close review of the scans have found that even subtle hits, less than would be caught in any concussion test, have real consequences on players. It is leading some medical experts to research further to better understand the effect that these prolonged hits might have on developing brains.

Researchers used a cutting edge image analysis technique to measure very subtle brain changes before and after players participated in games with head trauma. Specifically, the researchers use diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), which is similar to an MRI except that it captures coded quantitative data instead of images. While measuring that data the researchers found small but clear difference in the effect on the white matter in the brain of the young athletes.

The involved researchers explained that with further honing of the techniques, it may be possible to identify a specific point where there is real long-term effect on the athlete. For example, it may be uncovered that 20 hours of play in a particular game may be a tipping point where brain problems are found. It then maybe appropriate for coaches and others involved to limit the total exposure of athletes to the level of play which is found not to cause harm. These levels may also changes between age groups. The more research and data collected, the more professionals will be able to provide tailored advice to athletes and their families on the specific consequences of their playing certain games. This more personalized approach to brain injury is a particularly novel idea that has a lot of potential.

While the new information that continues to come out regarding the effect of sports head injuries on players should give pause to parents, of course it does not mean that the risk of all of these sports outweigh the benefits. Instead, our Chicago brain injury attorneys believe that this new research should be looked at from a balanced perspective. The fact remains that particularly physical sports have real consequences on the lives of players. The more information that comes out regarding more subtle harm should simply make it even more appropriate for extra steps to be taken by involved parties to keep players safe. In other words, all sports safety measures involve a balance comparing the intrusiveness of the safety steps with the harm that it might prevent. The more information that comes out regarding that actual harm, the more that balancing test should shift in favor of increased safety measures.

In Other News: Two of our companion blogs--The Illinois Medical Malpractice Blog and Illinois Injury Lawyer Blog--were nominated for inclusion as one of the Top 25 Tort Blogs of 2011. The award is part of the LexisNexis project which seeks to feature blogs that set the standard in certain practice areas and industries. The voting to narrow down the field is currently underway, and we would love to have your vote. All you have to do is add a comment at the end of the post about the Top 25 bogs.

Please Follow This Link To Vote: Vote for Our Blog. Thanks for your support!

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Thin Neck Collars May Prevent Sports Head Injuries

NFL to Train Referees to Identify Brian Injuries

Illinois sports injuries continue to affect athletes across our area. Football, hockey, boxing, and soccer injuries in particular are often serious and frequently the injuries affect the head, neck, and brain of athletes. Much more awareness has been raised as of late regarding these injuries, particularly concussions. As the long-term consequences of brain injuries are uncovered and the dangers of not treating them becomes clear, it is becoming more and more necessary to take steps to keep athletes safe.

When young athletes are involved, it is particularly important for coaches, officials, trainers, school administrator, and other involved parties to keep players safe. A central aspect of that safety effort is ensuring that head injuries are properly diagnosed and players are taken out of the game when they arise. Rest is one of the key components of brain injury recovery, and players are placed in serious risk of long-term harm when they are exposed to more head trauma after already experiencing an injury. Yet, beyond ensuring proper rest, many scientists are also working on designing ways to prevent these injuries for developing in the first place. One of the newest ways that this prevention might be accomplished is through use of neck bands and collars.

The Star News reported on the story noting that the simple device may ultimately prove to become an indispensible piece of safety equipment for many athletes. The researchers who developed the product explain that a collar no tighter than a set of headphones can be worn around athletes necks during a game, essentially creating a skull “airbag” which may cushion the brain from blows that otherwise would cause a concussion. The news is a huge departure from most sports safety equipment trends.

In the past the approach to preventing injury mostly led safety manufacturers to develop larger, more robust devices with increased padding. However, as scientist note, the changes to things like helmets have largely been unhelpful at preventing brain injuries like concussions. While helmets prevent the skull itself from being cracked or otherwise being injured in a collision, it does nothing to prevent the brain from moving about within the liquid cerebral fluids and blood in which it rests. It is this brain movement that injures most athletes.

Yet this new device would be different in that it actually provides cushion within the player’s head. This is done via slight constriction of the neck. The constriction narrows the internal “jugular” veins that drain blood from the skull. This “fills up” the liquid pool in which the brain rests, preventing brain movement and therefore preventing concussions. The constriction needed to provide the benefit is not much—merely like wearing a tight collared shirt.

Our Chicago brain injury lawyers were encouraged to read about this latest development in sports safety. Anything that may prevent sports brain injuries is a good thing that should be explored and used by those in a position to keep athletes safe. While some games will always have inherent risk factors, many of these accidents can and should be prevented.

In Other News: Two of our companion blogs--The Illinois Medical Malpractice Blog and Illinois Injury Lawyer Blog--were nominated for inclusion as one of the Top 25 Tort Blogs of 2011. The award is part of the LexisNexis project which seeks to feature blogs that set the standard in certain practice areas and industries. The voting to narrow down the field is currently underway, and we would love to have your vote. All you have to do is add a comment at the end of the post about the Top 25 bogs.

Please Follow This Link To Vote: Vote for Our Blog. Thanks for your support!

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Former Illinois Athlete Files Brain Injury Lawsuit Against Eastern Illinois University

Since it is football season, much attention has recently been paid to sports head injuries, particularly those that affect younger football players and similar athletes in contact sports. Of course the problem extends well beyond child and high school players. In fact, with the increased size and physicality of the games among older players, the potential harm caused by head trauma increases for players in college and professional leagues. It remains just as important at these advanced stages for those involved in the games to do everything in their power to keep players safe.

Fortunately, even at the highest levels steps are being taken to ensure that those watching the athletes are aware of the risks of brain injuries. For example, the Washington Post reported yesterday on new efforts by the administrators at the National Football League (NFL) to educate officials to better notice concussion-related symptoms. As it often the case with these types of changes, the effort was spurred by a scary incident involving a professional player in a game earlier this season.

In late October, a San Diego Chargers lineman suffered a strong hit and concussion when he collided with a linebacker late in a game. The impact and injury sent the lineman staggering around the field. However, no one seemingly noticed his condition and he staggered back to the huddle without leaving the game. Of course concussions require proper rest and rehabilitation. It remains incredibly risky for players who have suffered concussions to keep playing a game with physical contact. Serious short-term and long-term harm often results. After the game, the Chargers player in this case collapsed on the plane ride home. He also suffered a seizure before he was stabilized.

Our Illinois brain injury attorneys know that frequently these sports-related injuries could be prevented if those involved in the game take steps to ensure proper rest for those who have suffered concussions. In this NFL case, an official saw the behavior of the player after the concussion, but the NFL does not yet have any plans in place to train officials to recognize the possible harm and take action. That may now change.

NFL officials are now working to improve the monitoring system to prevent another dangerous situation from occurring. Part of that effort will involve better training of officials to recognize the symptoms of concussion. They referees will then be able to take action to protect the player from potential harm. NFL teams all have physicians on the sidelines who are supposed to catch these situations. However, the physicians’ location on the sidelines often make it difficult for them to see everything that goes on in the game. If a player suffers a serious hit leading to significant head injury, but returns to the huddle, the doctor may never know. That is exactly why more involved individual, like officials, need to be properly trained to spot these issues. This is a principle that should be followed at all levels, from the professionals down to games involving the youngest players. Proper training does not require too much time or resources, but it could end up saving a life.

In Other News: Two of our companion blogs--The Illinois Medical Malpractice Blog and Illinois Injury Lawyer Blog--were nominated for inclusion as one of the Top 25 Tort Blogs of 2011. The award is part of the LexisNexis project which seeks to feature blogs that set the standard in certain practice areas and industries. The voting to narrow down the field is currently underway, and we would love to have your vote. All you have to do is add a comment at the end of the post about the Top 25 bogs.

Please Follow This Link To Vote: Vote for Our Blog. Thanks for your support!

See Our Related Blog Posts:

Pediatricians Say Boxing Not Safe for Kids & Teenagers

Former Illinois Athlete Files Brain Injury Lawsuit Against Eastern Illinois University

Awareness continues to grow about the risks faced by young athletes after suffering a sports related brain injury. That increased awareness is cited as a partial explanation for the significant increases being reported in emergency room visits for youth head injuries. Many believe that coaches, parents, athletic directors, and school administrators are taking fewer chances with their young athletes and are having a doctor take a look at them whenever there are concerns that they may have suffered a brain injury. Increased understanding about these risks is a good development that will undoubtedly save many athletes from the many complications that can result when injuries go unnoticed or are ignored.

However, there are still many involved in youth sports who fail to appreciate the seriousness of the risks and fail to take reasonable steps to keep players safe. As a result, lawmakers across the country continue to offer legislative solutions that would make it mandatory for those involved to protect young players from possible youth sports head injuries. For example, the Badger Herald editorialized this weekend in support of proposed legislation in the state on the topic. The bill would require coaches to take a player out of a game or practice who is between the ages of 11 and 19 if they believe that they may have suffered a traumatic head injury. The bill would go further and prevent the player from practicing or going into a game until they receive written permission from a health care provider. The root of the legislation is an effort to prevent players from playing after they have experienced a concussion. Legislators have no doubt followed the growing medical evidence which have associated successive concussions with large medical risks.

Contrary to the perception of some, concussions must be taken seriously, because their long-term effects can be significant and include depression, chronic headaches, and memory loss. These injuries are particularly harmful if they involve repeat head trauma. They have a cumulative effect on the brain with conditions worsening over time. Startlingly, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that diagnosed concussions likely only represent roughly 15% of all the actual concussions suffered by young athletes. That means many experience a brain injury and then go right back out onto the field or the rink to face additional physical contact. Often, it is only when a player has experienced several concussions suffering permanent damage that proper treatment is provided. By then it is usually too late.

Our Illinois sports injury lawyers are well versed in the long-term consequences of untreated or mistreated concussions. From mild dizziness to death and everything in between, concussions can affect the lives of those who suffer from them in many ways. The risks increase significantly when not properly handled, and so all efforts to account for those risks and prevent long-term injury must be supported. Also, all those who have suffered one of these injuries that should have been prevented should take the time to visit with a legal professional to determine the justice system provides an avenue by which the victim can receive some compensation for the losses they suffered.

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WSYR News reported today on developments in the tragic story involving the young high school football player who died after suffering a head injury during a school football game. The entire community was shocked to learn that the young man had passed away from his injuries as he was being treated from the football head injury at a local hospital. His passing was made all the more surprising for those who were watching the game, because the young man seemed to be talking to those nearby and without injuries that appeared life-threatening.

However, our Illinois brain injury lawyers know that one of the unique risks posed by head trauma is that fact that they may cause severe damage that is not readily apparent. In addition, the injury can actually arise even when the specific trauma appears slight. In the football context, that means that severe harm may arise, even though a player seemingly is not hit hard at all. That appears to be what happened in this most recent case according to the school’s athetic director. He explained that the coaches and staff reviewed the film of the game and could not identify a single, major hit that likely caused the trouble. The victim was not even involved in the play after which he fell to the ground. The student was involved in a few other plays before that one, but there was not any particularly violent collision in any of them. Instead, the young man simply experienced the basic contact found in the game.

One medical expert in the area explained that there are no easy answers when it comes to understanding what happened in this case. He explained, “It doesn’t even have to be a head injury. If we’re running fast enough and hit, and just inside your helmet, you brain does one of those little shakes…that is all it takes.” The lack of contact necessary to cause potentially life-threatening injuries in these games comes as a shock to many parents who never knew how risky some of these most physical games could be.

The increasing medical awareness of the seriousness of these injuries has led many states to strengthen their guidelines for high school sports. There is also action on the national level. Congress has recently put pressure on the makers of football equipment to enact changes that will reduce injuries and better explain safety risks to those involved in these activities. Football helmets in particular must be reconditioned consistently to ensure they provide the protection players need. Many school districts are also imposing stricter rest periods for those players that experience a head injury. It is advisable for those athletes who experience a concussion to sit out of activities for a week after symptoms subside. The rest period needs to be even greater for all those who suffer a second concussion. Failure to properly account for these risks often unnecessarily risks more severe harm resulting from the sports head injury.

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Pediatricians Say Boxing Not Safe for Kids & Teenagers

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In many parts of the country and many different households, Fall is a favorite time of the year specifically because it is football season. Football is a decidedly American sport, and for decades many young athletes have spent their weekdays practicing with the team, playing community games on Friday nights, and enjoy weekend pick-up games. Our Illinois sports injury lawyers know that while the game is cherished by many, it comes with some dangers that must be accounted for at all times.

Over the past few years more and more families have become aware of the risk of head injuries in contact sports—particularly football. With football, contact is essentially half of the battle as athletes intentionally ram against each other as they struggles to move down both sides of the field. The physicality of the game means that many athletes face a myriad of injuries as a result, with concussions leading the list. When playing the game, athletes of all ages, from Pee-Wee youngsters up to the professionals, run the risk of experiencing severe head trauma which can causes a concussion.

It is vital that no family, coach, or school administrator underestimate the health risks caused by concussions. Experts continue to warn the public that even hits that may seem like a mere bump or an injury with very mild symptoms can have serious, lifelong consequences. To highlight the point, some advocates are spreading the story of a young college football victim. A family was distraught when they discovered that the Division I college athlete committed suicide last year. The young man had no history of depression. Doctors who examined the 21-year old following his death were shocked to learn that he was in the early stages of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a degenerative disease that affects those who have experienced repeated concussions and head trauma.

While doctors are still split on whether the suicide was specifically caused by the CTE, many suspect that it was involved. Many doctors have already though the problem could have mental, social, and emotional effects after studies involved with older, professional NFL players. One doctor explained that “having developed the disease so early raised the possibility that it played a role in his death, and provided arresting new evidence that the brain damage found in NFL veterans can afflict younger players.”

Each new piece of information that comes out about the risks of head trauma posed by football counsels toward extreme care being taken by all those who play a role in the game’s safety. The Illinois brain injury lawyers at our firm urge all parents to be on the lookout for any sign that their young athlete is experiencing the effects of a concussion. These concussions can be tricky to spot, because it may take days after the actual trauma before the athlete actually experiences symptoms. While some recover quickly from a concussion, others have lingering symptoms for weeks. It must be remember that for the vast majority of athletes, a playing career will only last a few years, while brain injuries will last a lifetime.

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News outlets across the country continue to share information about the tragic sports brain injury death that we discussed this weekend. Our Chicago brain injury lawyers remain saddened by the news of the 16-year old high school football player who died this weekend after suffering an on-field hit. The teen was originally able to sit up after the accident, and he talked to the first responders around him. However, his condition deteriorated as he was being taken by ambulance to a hospital, and he passed away from his injuries.

ESPN News reported today on a few more developments in the case which has shed light on exactly how the tragedy arose. According to medical experts involved in the case, the young football player suffered a massive subdural hematoma caused by a helmet to helmet hit during the football game. The medical professional believes that there was no pre-existing injury or other persistent factors that contributed to the accident. In other words, the tragedy was consistent with an accident that could affect anyone in a similar situation. It is a tragic reminder of the dangers of some of these contact sports and the need to do everything possible to keep the young athletes safe.

Subdural hematomas are frequently the most damaging type of sports brain injury that strikes these players. PubMed Health explains that these acute subdural hematomas are perhaps the most deadly of all brain injuries. In general it refers to a collection of blood that builds up on the surface of the brain. The blood often fills up the brain area quickly, compressing the tissue on the brain, and, as this case shows, it can lead to death. Football players who experience head to head hits are some of the most frequent victims of these injuries. It goes without saying that all head injuries must be treated with the utmost care in case a hematoma was suffered. In other cases, a subdural hematoma can be caused by even minor head injuries. This is frequently the case with elderly victims. When a senior experiences one of these problems, it is possible that it could go for weeks without notice. That is why these versions of the problem are often referred to as chronic subdural hematomas.

Our Illinois brain injury attorneys urge all residents to be extra cautious when it comes to head injuries. The consequences are far too high not to take all brain injuries seriously. This is especially true because the problem may lie dormant for a period of time before serious complications arise. In addition, all those in a position to do so much ensure that proper safety steps are taken to prevent these problems from arising in the first place. In the sports context, this might involve frequent checks on helmet safety and mandatory rest periods for those experiencing head injury symptoms. For seniors, prevention of head injury often involves ensuring seniors avoid falls or other significant trauma. In the nursing home context, care workers must identify the residents who are most susceptible to falls and do everything possible to prevent their suffering harm.

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The Chicago brain injury lawyers at our firm have worked with enough victims of head trauma to appreciate the fact that many victims are never able to fully recover and live exactly as they did before. The disturbing reality about these injuries is that doctors remain mostly in the dark about the best way to get a patient’s brain back to normal after it experiences trauma. This has significant ramifications for the legal aspect of these injuries if they are caused by the negligence of others. For one thing, if a victim has their life forever altered by the accident, then that seriousness will be reflected in the damages that are sought following the filing of an Illinois brain injury lawsuit.

Recently, Tallahassee News reported on the tough future faced by many brain injury victims who often have their lives forever changed in an instant. Many victims are young children and teens, who are forced to deal with challenges that few their age ever consider. For example, one teen girl was riding on her horse two years ago, something she had done a thousand times before, when an accident struck. Her horse stepped into a hole where a fence post had been removed and the girl was thrown to the ground. During the fall her head slammed onto the hard clay surface below and she suffered a traumatic brain injury. It took more than a month in intensive care and months of physical therapy before she slowly began to get her life back together. The young girl had to re-learn everything from walking and talking to swallowing. While she continues to push past the problems and hopes to recover as much as possible, the girl admits that some things may be forever altered. She explained that that she just has to “adjust to the new normal.”

Many others have found themselves in a similar situation. In fact, many support groups have been created where victims of these accidents meet to discuss their situation. One group in the area includes nine young adults who meet regularly to talk about the progress of their treatment, career plans, and other things about their future. The group was founded by a man who works with the state’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. His work with the victims of these accidents and led him to come up with the idea of bringing all the victims together so that they knew they were not alone. He explained that many victims, “were pretty much alone in their injury,” and he decided that “it only made sense to get them all together.”

The Illinois brain injury lawyers at our firm understand the feeling of helplessness that can come with these injuries. We want to remind all victims that help is available. Not all brain injuries are the result of negligence on the part of another. However, in many cases the injury could and should have been prevented if another had acted in a reasonable manner. In those situations the law is clear in providing a remedy for the victims to help them deal with the complications and prolonged recovery efforts.

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The Chicago brain injury attorneys at our firm have long been concerned about the seeming increase in young athletes who suffer serious head injuries while playing sports. Many of these victims are young students, and their families may not understand the overall scope and potential consequence of these accidents. New research exploring the long-term impact of these sports brain injuries continues to show that they are more serious than previous thought. A variety of lifetime complications could develop if these accidents are not more aggressively prevented and better treated.

New figures on the problem indicate that much awareness still needs to be raised about this issue. As reported Thursday in Bloomberg Business Week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced a troubling rise in youth head injuries. The federal agency noted that over the past nine years, the total number of emergency room visits for head injuries affecting young athletes increase by 60%. Upon closer examination it appeared that bicycling, football, and playground accidents were the most common cause of these head trauma. Soccer and basketball injuries were also found to play a large role in the brain trouble. The raw figures reveal jut how many young people are affected by these injuries. In 2001 there were slightly more than 150,000 ER visits because of these accidents. Only nine year later, in 2009, that figure had risen to nearly 250,000. The problem still affects boys more than girls—likely because boys are more likely to play contact sports. 71% of ER visits were among males. Similarly, those in their teens were significantly more likely to suffer injury. This is again a product of the type of activities that these older children engage in as opposed to those who are particularly young.

While the figures may appear particularly troubling at first glance, it is important to remember that a large factor in the increase may actually be more awareness on the part of coaches and parents that head injuries cannot be shrugged off. When a young athlete is involved in any situation with seemingly severe head trauma—or even indicates symptoms indicative of head trauma—then a doctor must be consulted right away. Even if the brain injury turns out to be less serious and not require hospitalization, it is always beneficial to have a doctors opinion because even minor injuries can have long-term effects or lead to impairments.

As one expert in the area explained, young brains “are known to be more vulnerable to the chemical changes that occur” after a brain injury. Therefore while a child may seem fine after a particularly rough football tackle or a fall off a bicycle, they may actually have suffered brain trauma that will present severe complications down the road as chemical changes are spurred by the trauma. Our Illinois head injury lawyers continue to urge parents not to take risks in these situations. Children have their entire lives ahead of them, and it is particularly troubling when they are affected by a brain injury with complications that could have been avoided if proper care had been provided in a timely fashion.

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Facts on Traumatic Brain Injury

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Our Illinois sports injury lawyers know that one group that is at a high risk of suffering a brain injury are student-athletes. Throughout the year many young people—such as high school football players—engage in rough sports and expose themselves to potentially harmful accidents. In certain games, the risk of head injuries is particularly high. It doesn’t take much imagination to understand how things like the helmet-on-helmet collisions seen in many football games can expose students to potential brain injuries.

A recent New York Times article explored how one state is working to protect student-athletes from these often life-altering injuries. The story explains how new studies have shown that high-school age students experience more than 60,000 concussions each and every year across the country. The vast majority of those injures can be traced back to high school football. It is undeniably that the game is a rough one.

Not only that, but more and more evidence continues to mount revealing the long-term consequences of that repeated head trauma. A concussion can affect the lives of these students beyond the football season, the school year, and their high school experience. In fact, it is not uncommon for those who experienced continual small injuries to face permanent brain damage because of the problem.

The state recently passed new legislation which aims to protect athletes from this potential harm. For example, football programs will now be required to re-condition the oldest football helmets every two years. All helmets that are older than 16 years old cannot be used by players, because of risk that they cannot provide the protection that players need to keep them safe. On top of that new laws also require all schools to appoint a concussion oversight team, including physicians, to help better treat those who may have suffered from these injuries.

The chief sponsor of the legislation—known as the “helmet bill”—actually believes that the new measures do not go far enough to protect athletes from concussion risks. Instead he urges the lawmakers to require all athletes to undergo a baseline cognitive test to measure their memory before an injury. This then allows medical professionals better determine if a concussion was actually experienced in the event of intense head trauma.

Our Illinois brain injury lawyers are open to working with all those who suffer head injuries that could and should have been prevented. All those who run these athletic programs for all age levels must understand the risks associated with many of these sports. They must appreciate things that can be done to prevent the accidents and properly treat those who have suffered from a sports-related head injury. If you or a family member has been hurt in this way, consider visiting our office, sharing your story, and learning how the law applies in these situations. There is nothing to lose from learning more about the legal realities of these cases. Besides receiving fair compensation for the expenses caused by the loss, seeking accountability for these accidents may force decision-makers to enact changes that may spare others from suffering similar injuries.

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Two More Former Football Players File Illinois Concussion Lawsuit Against NCAA

Head Injury Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Ex-Football Players

The Chicago head injury lawyers at our firm continue to watch as new information keeps pouring in regarding Illinois brain injury lawsuits filed by former college athletes against the NCAA. Recently two more players filed suit against the collegiate athletic association alleging that the organization failed to keep them safe from concussions or provide necessary medical care following the concussions to prevent future injury. The lawsuits are the latest in a string of cases brought against the association alleging that their inadequate conduct has led to many long-term problems for the student athletes that it is supposed to protect.

According to the Associated Press, this latest federal suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and it involves two former college football players who claim that they both suffered a preventable brain injury because of the misconduct of the NCAA. Specifically, the plaintiffs claim in the documents filed with the court that the organization failed to establish proper head screening systems or enforce safety measures that were enacted over forty years ago. To help prevent future injuries, those filing this latest suit seek to have the organization institute a medical monitoring program. This case follows in the footsteps of the one filed early last month by two former Illinois football players.

Those involved with both cases are seeking to have it certified as a “class-action” suit. A judge has the power to designate a suit a class-action when for various reasons. One of the most common reasons is when there is a large group of potential plaintiffs all suffering similar harm. In this way, it is more convenient to consolidate the case into a single suit where all of the plaintiffs are represented in their capacity as a member of the class. For example, if the judge determines that all of the criteria are met in this case, then other former football players who suffered injury may be able to receive some compensation if an award or settlement is reached in this case. This is true even though those individual players did not file suit or take any specific legal steps on their own. In class-action suits there are publicity requirements which seek to ensure that those who may be members of the class are made aware of their inclusion.

As our Illinois brain injury attorneys have often explained, head injuries are particularly dangerous because they can appear minimal at first but have serious long-term effects later. There really is no room for error when it comes to preventing and treating these problems. Considering that the NCAA is well aware of the problems of concussions, methods of preventing them, detecting the brain injuries, and providing the long-term treatment necessary, there is no reason why it should fail to take every step possible to keep athletes safe. Whether student athletes are in middle school, high school, or college, it is incumbent on those involved in the safety of the program to step up and demand that proper steps be taken to ensure these vulnerable players do not suffer life-long consequences because of these brain injuries.

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Our Chicago brain injury attorneys recently read about a brain injury lawsuit in which the three victims of a regatta accident have sued the organizers of the Madison Regatta alleging that their negligence led to the severe personal injuries that they suffered following an accident that left them with brain injuries. The victims of the accident claim that because of the way that the course was set up, it was unsafe for the competitors and that is what led to the accident this summer. The accident occurred when one of the people participating in the regatta lost control of his boat and it hydroplaned and slammed into a rescue boat that was there for the event. The victims claim that the safety boat was in the wrong location and that if the boat had been where it should be the accident would not have been as serious as it was. The multiple people that were hurt in the accident suffered a variety of severe injuries.

According to WLKY, one of the victims was in the hospital for three weeks and had to learn how to walk again, and another victim received a severe head injury that resulted in a brain injury that affected his memory. The personal injuries resulted in a large amount of medical bills for the victims, and they will likely continue to require physical therapy in order to fully recover. The brain injury lawsuit was filed not only against the organizers of the Regatta but also against the governing body of the Regatta event and against the driver of the boat that hydroplaned and the boat driver’s team.

According to the brain injury lawsuit there were concerns prior to the event that the venue where the Regatta was held might not be as safe as it should be, and there were worries that there could be an accident at the event. The victims say that in addition to seeking damages for their injuries and to cover the expenses connected with the accident, they want the Regatta organization to be forced to take responsibility for their negligence actions. The victims hope that the lawsuit will force the Regatta team to change their safety precautions and keep this type of incident from ever occurring again.

Our Illinois brain injury attorneys hope that the victims of the accident get the compensation that they deserve and that the Regatta company takes responsibilities for their actions. Our personal injury law firm has helped out victims all over the state of Illinois recover millions of dollars as monetary compensation for their injuries and our goal is to help out victims of other people’s negligence and help them achieve the justice that they deserve. If you or a loved one were the victim of a brain injury and you feel that a brain injury lawsuit should be filed against the person responsible for the injury, please do not hesitate to contact our Illinois personal injury attorneys today.

Our Chicago brain injury attorneys were interested to read about a statement that was just issued by the American Academy of Pediatricians, in which they stated that the group did not consider boxing a safe sport for children or teenagers to play. According to CBS News, the leading pediatricians found that boxing was a sport that had a very high rate of concussions, and that because of the risk of concussions in the sport that it was not safe for younger people to play. The group also believes that even the use of head protection does not eliminate the risk of concussions, and that the sport is not safe for kids or teenagers even when they use head protection for boxing.

The reason that the risk of repetitive concussions is a worry for pediatricians is that there is a great deal of scientific evidence that repetitive concussions can lead to severe and permanent brain injuries later in life. Many former athletes have developed later in life brain injuries after being involved in sports where they suffered from multiple blows to the head. Following any blow to the head, everyone needs to be thoroughly checked out by a doctor to see if they suffered from a concussion, or another type of head injury, and any athlete that suffers from a hit should only be allowed to go back on the field, ring, or court once they have been cleared by a doctor who has determined that it is safe for them to return to play. If a victim of a blow to the head gets right back in the game, when their body did not have time to recover fully, there is a much higher risk that another hit could leave that person with a severe or permanent brain injury.

Pediatricians worry about this problem with sports and head injuries even more so with children and teenagers. The reason for this heightened concern with concussions in children is that because younger people’s brains are not as fully developed as older individuals and can be much more susceptible to head and brain damage. Because of the level of brain development in younger people, the damage from concussions can be more severe and the healing time for the body to completely recover post concussion is often much longer than it would be for an adult.

The combination of the danger that multiple concussions can have on children or teenagers with the high risk of head hits associated with boxing, is what led pediatricians to release the statement that, according to them, boxing is not considered a safe sport for children and teenagers. Many boxing advocates feel that boxing can be a good outlet for younger people and that the risks associated with the sport are not strong enough of a reason to entirely discourage kids and teenagers from boxing. If you or a loved one have a child that has suffered a brain injury from receiving a hit to the head and then being sent right back out to play without receiving medical clearance, please contact our Illinois personal injury attorneys to discuss the options available.

Our Illinois brain injury attorneys recently learned that a former Eastern Illinois University football player has filed a lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) claiming that the association failed to protect college athletes, such as himself, from brain injuries associated with repetitive concussions. The brain injury lawsuit alleges that the college sporting association was negligent in allowing the players to receive concussions and then get right back on the field shortly after their head injury.

The brain injury lawsuit is one in which the former player hopes to establish a class action lawsuit, meaning that he wants to join other former college athletes in his lawsuit to also give them the opportunity to recover for any damages they suffered as a result of the sporting association’s negligence. The amount that the brain injury and negligence lawsuit is seeking from the association is not known at this point but will likely not only seek damages for medical expenses but also for pain and suffering that has resulted from this negligence. This brain injury lawsuit is similar to the ones that are being filed by many former National Football League players against the League, alleging that they have developed permanent head and brain injuries because of the years of concussions they suffered and because the League allowed them to play with these severe head injuries.

According to The Associated Press, the specific brain injuries that the individual former college athlete has suffered have led him to have trouble finishing his college degree. The player received multiple concussions while he was a player for the team, and kept being sent back out on the field without the proper and appropriate testing that he needed. It was not until after the player starting suffering from seizures that the team decided to send the player to a doctor to be further tested, and that is when it was discovered that he had suffered brain damage while a player on the team.

In addition to seeking damages for the injuries that he has suffered, both physically and emotionally, the football player that has filed the brain injury lawsuit alleges that he filed the lawsuit in order to try and get the association to change the policies and procedures that are in place whenever a player suffers from a concussion. The former player claims that he wants the association to realize the danger that they are placing their players in when it comes to concussions, and wants the association to make changes that will protect future college athletes from the brain injuries that he and many other former players have suffered from while playing football.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys have helped out victims of brain injuries all over the state of Illinois. When you suffer a personal injury and someone else is responsible for your injury, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person of institution that was responsible to compensate you for what you have had to experience as a result of their negligence. If you or a loved one have suffered from a brain injury that was due to someone’s negligence, please contact our Chicago brain injury attorneys to discuss your case and talk about what options are available to you or to your loved ones.

Our Chicago brain injury attorneys were saddened by the news that a young college football player has died as a result of head and brain injuries that he sustained on the field during football practice. The traumatic brain injury occurred sometime during football practice at his college, and the victim’s parents and teammates are not sure exactly what happened during the routine practice that caused the severe brain damage that led to the young man’s death. The young athlete was hospitalized following the head injury and died as a result of those injuries, close to a week after the incident.

While the victim’s family is not positive as to what exactly was the cause of the brain injury, the family is sure that the injury was the result of head trauma and not due to any type of existing condition. According to The New York Times, the family of the victim stated that the victim had always been very healthy and had suffered no serious medical problems in the past. The victim’s parents did not know of any concussions that their son had experienced in the past, and were not aware of any specific instances of head trauma. The young athlete’s teammates that were present at the time the head trauma occurred said that the victim complained of feeling dizzy and woozy, and then collapsed after he was helped off of the field. The young man was then taken to the hospital where he later died from complications from his traumatic brain injury.

This particular incident is especially of concern to our brain injury attorneys because while head injuries and death are often linked to football, boxing, and other sports that involve serious physical contact and hits to the head, most injuries of this time do not occur in college aged athletes. This type of severe brain injury is most commonly found in high school athletes under the age of 18, and some older athletes that have suffered years of brain damage. The reason that head and brain injuries of this type are not as common in athletes of the college age is that teenagers tend to be more susceptible to hits to the head, and are more likely to develop swelling and brain bleeds, even more so athletes that are slightly older. This type of tragic brain injury and death occurring in someone the victim’s age is very upsetting and has many brain injury specialists confused.

At this point it is not clear whether the family will be filing a brain injury lawsuit against the school, or the doctors, or anyone else, and the family’s main goal right now is to figure out what happened to their son and to try and warn others so that other families do not have to go through this same terrible trauma that they have suffered through. Our Chicago brain injury attorneys at our personal injury law firm have helped victims of traumatic brain injuries, and their families, throughout the difficult time following these tragic injuries and are here to discuss what has happened to you or your loved one and what possible options are available.

Our Illinois brain injury attorneys are very interested by the new Illinois law requiring all student athletes to be cleared by a doctor, when they show any signs of a concussion, before they are allowed back in the game or on the field. This new law was adopted earlier this year to be effective immediately, and with the new school year beginning and a new high school football season starting, this concussion law will hopefully begin to reduce the number of long term brain injuries suffered by football players who get hit in the head again before they are fully recovered from a previous concussion. Although the law itself is new to the state of Illinois, 27 other states have already adopted a similar type of law and many Illinois schools had similar policies in place in order to help protect their students that were showing signs of a concussion after receiving a hit to the head.

This law, and similar policies that were implemented by schools prior to this new Illinois law going into effect, come in the wake of the realization that many serious brain injuries in football players were linked to the players suffering years of concussions. Up until just recently football players were usually sent back on the field shortly after suffering a possible concussion, and recent studies have shown that this may have been what caused a great number of long-term severe brain damage and in some cases even death. According to The Chicago Tribune, the number of school age children coming into the emergency room for concussions has drastically increased, and more children have been receiving the treatment that they needed, likely because of the increased awareness of the possible danger of repeated concussions that are not handled appropriately.

Upon learning of the danger of not fully checking out an athlete following a hit to the head, many coaches, teachers, parents and school boards have fought for and implemented changes in schools. While it was a great start for schools to take action, our Illinois personal injury attorneys were very happy to learn that Illinois lawmakers decided to take more action and implement a concussion law for the state of Illinois. This statewide law will hopefully injure that all student athletes are treated properly following a head injury and greatly reduce the number of brain injuries suffered by our Illinois athletes.

As the new school year begins, our Illinois brain injury attorneys feel much better knowing that student athletes in Illinois will have to be cleared by a doctor after suffering any hit to the head that appears to have caused a concussion. The law will also offer more concussion education and awareness in the school system. The law does not aim to stop players that are safe to go back on the field from being able to play, but hopefully will keep players that need to remain out of the game off the field until their injury has had time to heal. Brain injuries that are preventable, such as ones that result from numerous blows to the head in sports, are especially upsetting because they could have been avoided if only the proper precautions were taken and that is why this law is so important. Our Illinois personal injury lawyers hope to see less of these preventable brain injuries as a result of the new law.

Our Chicago brain injury attorneys recently read about a new study that showed that girls have a higher risk for developing a traumatic brain injury than boys. The study showed that girls are more likely to develop a concussion (a shaking of the brain against the skull following a hit to the head) than boys, even when there was the same type of hit to the head. According to Third Age, the study showed that in specific sports such as soccer and basketball that the number of concussions received by student athletes playing these sports were significantly higher for girls than they were for boys. The study does not cover what the exact reasons for the discrepancy in concussions between boys and girls playing the same sports is, but it is believed by many medical professionals that the difference may be due to the fact that girls tend to have smaller heads than boys and girls neck muscles are typically less developed than boys of the same age.

The reason that the difference in the number of concussions between boys and girls is connected to the frequency of traumatic brain injuries is because recent evidence has shown that repetitive concussions can lead to serious brain damage over time. Given the fact that girls are more likely to suffer from concussions, it makes sense that girls would also be more likely to suffer from traumatic brain injuries.

Recently, there has been a lot of talk among student athletes, coaches, school staff, and parents in respect to letting kids back on the playing field following a concussion. Now that evidence shows the high level of danger in repeated concussions and the danger in letting a person with a concussion immediately go back on the field before being thoroughly checked out by a doctor, more and more people are concerned with traumatic brain injuries that may result from years of hits to the head on the playing field.

Our brain injury attorneys encourage all coaches, schools, and parents to make sure that, following a concussion, student athletes are not let back on the field to play until they have been fully examined and cleared by a doctor. The time needed to return to play after each concussion may vary by person and because of this a doctor should always be the one to clear the student athlete. The study also suggested that girls are more prone to traumatic brain injuries than boys because generally girls seem to take longer to recover after a concussion than boys and may require more time off the field to be considered safe to play that a boy would need.

If you feel that your child, who was a student athlete, suffered a brain injury as a result of their school or coach forcing them to go back on the field after suffering from concussions, please contact our personal injury law firm today. Schools and coaches should always keep the children's safety first and make sure not to let any child go back on the field after being hit in the head without being cleared by a doctor.

Our Illinois brain injury attorneys were happy to see that the state of Arizona just became the first state that required that all student athletes enroll in and complete a concussion education program and pass a test making sure that they understand what they have learned about concussions before they are allowed to play in that state. According to the PR News Wire, the association that fought for this law to take effect said that they recognized how serious and dangerous traumatic brain injuries can be and that recurring concussions often lead to this type of serious permanent damage to athletes.

While twenty-eight states have laws that require some level of concussion education, this program is the first and only program currently in place that is directed specifically at student athletes, and the only current program that require the athletes to complete a test on what they have learned before the athlete is cleared to play within the state. The program is an online educational program, which is intended and designed to appeal more to the younger generation, so that the athletes will pay more attention to what they are learning and realize how important it is to learn about and how potentially dangerous concussions may be if they are not treated in the appropriate way.

The reason that concussion education is so important in connection with sporting injuries is that players need to be aware that if they ignore concussions and are not fully checked out before going back on the field, they may risk serious long term brain injuries caused by repetitive concussions. By educating athletes of the danger of concussions and teaching them about how to prevent concussions, hopefully the number of concussion related brain injuries will reduce in the sporting world. While this is just one state that has enacted this full educational program, the hope is that this will inspire other states and teams to enact similar programs that aim at concussion prevention.

Many players and their families have not been educated about the dangers of concussions and of continuing to play immediately following a concussion, but recently more and more doctors, sporting associations and teams are realizing how important this issue is and that many sporting related brain injuries are preventable. When the proper precautions are taken on the field or the proper steps are taken following a concussion or other type of hit to the head while playing sports, many brain injuries may be prevented. Whether it is through educating the players and their families, making sure that all helmets are up to the necessary standards, assuring that once a player is hit they are not sent back on the field until they have been thoroughly checked out by a doctor, being aware of the danger of head injuries in sports is very important for everyone involved.

Coaches and sporting associations owe their players a duty of care and should always disclose any information they have available regarding dangers to their players and are acting negligently if they decided to withhold this information from their athletes. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury that resulted from years of head trauma from sports, and were never taught about the dangers of repetitive concussions, please contact our Illinois personal injury attorneys today to discuss your options.

Our Chicago brain injury attorneys were happy to hear that the nationwide company that refurbishes old football helmets for use by schools will no longer accept helmets that are older than ten years old for reconditioning. All helmets used in schools are supposed to be sent out to be reconditioned after every season in order to help make sure that the helmets will continue to protect the players. The reason for this limit on how old of helmets the company will accept is that in light of all the newer data on what increased concussions can do to a player long term, the company does not feel that it is safe to recondition helmets that are over ten years old.

According to STL Today, this new policy has been received both positively and negatively by school officials and coaches at schools. Many coaches recognize the importance of not using helmets that are too old, in that they may not offer the same protection to the players as newer helmets can offer in terms of safety. Also school representatives feel that this new policy is good for schools from a legal standpoint. Schools have a duty to act responsibly in supervising their students and athletes and need to make decisions to best protect and keep the students safe. If the school fails to act in this manner they may face a brain injury lawsuit if a player gets hurt on their watch. Given all the wear and tear that a helmet can go through in ten years, advocates of the change in policy feel like this is absolutely the best decision to make in order to hopefully reduce the number of head and brain injuries to athletes.

However, there are also school officials and coaches that do not feel like this policy is necessary to keep students safe. While the school officials and coaches do agree that safety is the number one issue, they also argue that this policy change is not the least restrictive way to achieve safety for the student athletes. One issue they raise is that not all helmets are used all the time for the ten year period, and often times helmets that are a unique size or have other unique characteristics may be rarely used. The argument here is that the proponents think that requiring that all helmets may not be used after ten years, as oppose to just ones that were regularly used, is a waste of money to schools.

Another worry about the new policy is whether schools that lack the money to purchase new helmets once the ten years have run on others will continue to use the old helmets without them being reconditioned. This would defeat the purpose of what the new policy is trying to accomplish and would likely place student athletes at a much more serious risk of head trauma and increase the brain injuries we see as a result of sports related head injuries.

So while it is extremely important to make sure that all athletes have helmets that are up to standard and can protect the student athletes from personal injuries while on the field, these safety measures will not work unless the schools and coaches are also committed to the player's safety.

Our Chicago brain injury attorneys just read an article about a high school student who filed a lawsuit against the town she lives in, and against the school board in the same town, for brain injuries that she suffered while playing a tennis/baseball game in her gym class. The brain injury lawsuit alleges that the student was injured when she was hit by a tennis ball and has suffered a traumatic brain injury and memory loss as a result of the hit by the ball. The injury occurred while the students were playing a combination of tennis and baseball indoors, which was a game that the gym teacher required the students to play. The tennis ball was hit by another student as hard as he could with a tennis racket and hit the girl directly in the head.

According to The CT Post, the young girl’s doctor says that she suffered permanent brain damage to the right side of her brain and is suffering from persistent post-concussion syndrome. She is also having difficulty remembering things and in turn having trouble at school. She has to use memory aids to help her remember her school assignments. She also used to play field hockey and was a dancer but is currently having trouble with those activities because her spatial reasoning has been altered. This type of injury and problems are common with this type of traumatic brain injury.

The main issue that is addressed in this lawsuit is whether or not the gym teacher and school were negligent in allowing students to engage in this kind of game in such a small indoor space. The tennis ball was being hit as hard as students could hit it with a tennis racket in an indoor gym filled with twenty five students, and the brain injury lawsuit alleges that the negligence in allowing this activity is what led to the young girl’s permanent brain injuries. The girl’s father is suing on the young girl’s behalf and is seeking over $15,000 in damages to cover her medical expenses, her hospital expenses, and her therapy expenses.

Anytime someone is in a position to exert control and has responsibility over others, it is very important that that person exercises a great deal of care. This situation is common in school settings, and it is crucial for teachers to choose activities that will not put students in danger of being harmed. When the person in charge does act negligently and puts children at risk of injury, that person may be held liable.

Continue reading "Student Files Lawsuit Against School Board for Brain Injury" »

A new Illinois law requires that movable soccer goals must be properly anchored and checked to make sure that they will not tip over while kids are playing soccer. Our Illinois brain injury attorneys are happy to see this new law as it comes as a response to multiple deaths and severe head and brain injuries that have resulted from movable soccer goals tipping over and landing on young children. The law is known as “Zach’s Law” and is named after a young Illinois boy who was killed eight years ago by a goal that tipped over and landed on top of him. There have been three other incidents in Illinois where children have been injured by these movable goals. The new law is aimed to make people aware of how avoidable this type of injury is as long as the goal is anchored properly and the time is taken to make sure that the goal is stable and safe for kids to play around. The goals must be removed and stored in a specific way and only park employees are authorized to remove and install any goals that are owned by the district. The reason for this is to try to make sure that the people that are in charge of installing and removing the goals have the proper training and that they will exercise the most care possible in handling the goals. Aside from just requiring the proper inspection of the goals, the new law also bans the manufacture or sale of any new soccer goals that are not tip-resistant.

The family of the young boy who the law is named after started a non-profit group named Anchored for Safety with a goal of promoting soccer goal safety and pushing for legislation to deal with soccer goal safety. While it did take time, the family is happy that Illinois responded and enacted a soccer goal safety law. The Illinois law comes shortly after several other states have enacted laws that are similar to this one, aiming at protecting child from death or brain injury from movable soccer goals that were not properly anchored. This law is very important because it is a way to help keep children safe from death or serious brain injury. Any time there are measures that can be taken to protect people and keep avoidable injuries from happening, these measures should always be taken to help protect people from serious personal injury.

Continue reading "Illinois Passes Soccer Goal Safety Law to Prevent Brain Injuries" »

A recent Illinois law was just passed that requires that all student athletes in Illinois that suffer from a concussion get approval from a doctor before they are allowed to play again. Our Illinois brain injury attorneys are so happy to hear about this new law, especially because of all the professional athletes that have suffered severe brain injuries after years of suffering concussions and going right back out on the field. According to the Courthouse News Service, the law will take effect immediately and was enacted after legislators saw all the dangers that were associated with allowing National Football League (NFL) players to keep playing without much medical attention after suffering concussions. In addition to requiring medical approval before being allowed to play again, the law will also require that coaches, parents, referees and all players receive more education about concussions so everyone involved is aware of the potential dangers and can better make informed decisions.

This issue has recently been very controversial, in light of former players from the NFL realizing that many of them have permanent brain damage as a result of years of hits to the head and going back on the field after concussions. The NFL did not warn the players of the dangers of repetitive concussions until just recently, and there is currently a major lawsuit against the NFL that was brought by former players. The NFL lawsuit alleges that the NFL knew of the dangers to the players long before they began warning them and that they were negligent and had a duty to warn the players of any dangers they were aware of that was associated with the sport.

The reason that it is so important to be aware of the dangers of multiple concussions and always be fully checked out by a doctor after receiving a concussion is that if a person suffers from multiple concussions they run the risk of incurring permanent brain injuries. A concussion is a shaking of the brain against the skull, which often times does not cause serious or permanent damage when it occur once but can cause long term damage if the injury is continuous. Having a doctor check out a patient immediately after a concussion and before they are allowed to be back out on the field is very important so that if the injury is more serious, the injured person takes the appropriate time necessary to recover and does not risk more severe injury.

Our Illinois personal injury law firm is happy to see that the Illinois legislature is taking action to try and help with this growing problem and to ensure that all Illinois child athletes are receiving the proper medical attention and care that they all deserve if they suffer an injury while playing sports. While it is unfortunate that it took something as terrible as many former players being seriously injured to make a change, hopefully this new law will help protect athletes and reduce the number of brain injuries that result from sports.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys were interested to learn more details about the lawsuit in which a group of former National Football League (“NFL”) players claim the NFL actively concealed evidence that repeated football head injuries and concussions could lead to serious cognitive brain damage. According to Business Insider, the lawsuit against the League also names Riddell, Inc. as a defendant, the company that has been the official football helmet brand for over 20 years. At this point both the NFL and Riddell refuse to comment on the pending lawsuit.

Concussions are a common head injury in heavy contact sports, such as football. When a player gets hit in the head during play the hit often leads to a concussion, which is when the hit causes the brain to jar or shake in the head. Because of how frequent concussions are in football, and how quickly the players are often back on the field and susceptible to being hit again, this issue has recently become a major concern in the sport.

The NFL has a brain injury committee that has been around for years and which was set up to research the effects of multiple hits on the players long term brain health. According to CNN, up until June of 2010, the committee claimed that there was no ongoing damage created by the multiple hits and concussions the players received and that the players had no long term damage to be concerned about. Then last year the committee finally released information that repeated concussions could lead to dementia, memory loss and other times of ongoing brain deterioration and damage. While a single concussion is not always something that is a serious concern, multiple concussions have been linked to permanent cognitive brain functioning problems and may impair speech, movement and learning. After this information was released, the NFL started issuing warnings to players and their families (but not to any former players that had suffered years of head injuries).

The player’s main issue against the league was that issuing these warnings were too little too late. The players allege that the league had to have been aware of the serious damage that the head injuries were causing but failed to warn the players of the dangers, and instead encouraged and allowed them to get right back out on the field. The lawsuit states that the football league, as employers of the players, acted negligently in their role when they knew of the risks of traumatic brain injuries associated with repeated concussions, but never warned the players of these serious dangers. The complaint against the NFL claims that with all the doctors around following the hits and witnessing the serious injuries occurring to the players, that the NFL had to know that there was long term danger associated with the sport and that they were engaging in fraud and deceit in keeping this information from the players.

Our Chicago Brain Injury attorneys are here to help both victims of traumatic brain injuries as well as the families of victims of these injuries. When a traumatic brain injury is caused, or worsened by, the negligence of another, the victim has a right to be compensated not only for the medical costs associated with the injury but also for the pain and suffering and other damage that they have suffered as a result. Our Chicago based law firm has helped out victims of brain injuries all over Illinois and are here to help you or your loved one receive the compensation you deserve.

Our Chicago injury lawyers know that as summer begins, so do youth sports such as football, soccer, and basketball. An emerging health issue in youth sports is the need for precautions to prevent brain injury. According to the Center for Injury Research and Policy, an estimated 300,000 sports-related brain injuries occur every year in the United States. Chicago brain injury lawyers frequently settle and bring to trial brain injury lawsuits. For youths between 15 and 24 years old, sports injuries are the second most common traumatic brain injury. The study found that concussions represented ten percent of all high school athletic injuries and over 5 percent of all college athletic injuries. Concussions, in particular, can cause long-term health issues or even death. Concussions occur when a blow or motion to the head or body causes the brain to rapidly move within the skull. According to the Herald-News, new Illinois legislation hopes to help prevent long-term damage from youth sports related concussions.

The Illinois General Assembly recently approved House Bill 200, which takes the decision of how to treat concussions out of the hands of the coaches, players, parents, or anyone else who would encourage the youth to play despite injury. After a concussion, House Bill 200 requires that a licensed medical professional’s approval is obtained before the child can return to the game or practice. The bill also mandates the Illinois High School Association to develop guidelines to educate coaches, parents, and the student athletes on head injuries. According to the Chicagobears.com website, even the Chicago Bears are enthusiastic about the legislation. House Bill 200 is currently awaiting gubernatorial approval.

Continue reading "New Legislation to Prevent Youth Sports-Related Brain Injury" »

Post-gazette.com recently reported about a lawsuit that was filed by a former high school football player who suffered brain injuries following numerous collisions on the field. Zachary Alt, now 19 years old, sued his school district alleging that his coach and trainer negligently sent him back into games after he was seriously struck in the head on multiple occasions during football games. The young man was 15 years old at the time of the events complained of in his lawsuit.

The lawsuit further alleges that because of the head injuries Zachary suffered, he now experiences hot flashes, depression, insomnia, nausea, dry heaves and vomiting. The complaint also seeks monetary damages for Zachary’s loss of ability to work an 8 hour day. Our Chicago brain injury attorneys are familiar with lawsuits stemming from football and other sports related injuries.

The impact these types of injuries can leave on young high school players has been a topic of concern over the years. The main concern is chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. CTE occurs as a result of repeated head injuries, including concussions, over an extended period of time. The consequences of CTE include various mood disorders, paranoia, erratic behavior, memory loss and aggression.

A recent study conducted by researchers in the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital found that an estimated 5.25 million football-related injuries among children and adolescents between 6 and 17 years of age were treated in U.S. emergency departments between 1990 and 2007. The annual number of football-related injuries increased 27 percent during the 18-year study period, jumping from 274,094 in 1990 to 346,772 in 2007.

While football is a contact sport and hard hitting is part of the game, there are certain precautions that schools must take to ensure the highest level of health for their young players. One important factor is simply taking the injuries seriously. If a student athlete is hit hard and takes too long to get off the ground, experiences dizziness or disorientation, or stumbles after taking the hit, the coaches or trainers must recognize that this player requires medical attention as they may have suffered a traumatic brain injury. Zachary’s lawsuit centers on the fact that he was sent back into games on three separate occasions following such hard contact.

Continue reading "Football player files brain injury lawsuit against his school district " »

The Roanoke Times recently reported on a lawsuit filed against a nationally recognized university for inadequate facilities and lack of supervision after a 15 year old sustained a traumatic brain injury playing basketball at a summer camp hosted by the university.

The camper’s parents are suing the university and the organization who organized the camp for $2.5 million. The camper’s family incurred large medical bills as a result of his injuries and although, the camper has recovered, he is still at risk for future injuries and other health issues.

According to the lawsuit, the 15 year old suffered a brain injury when he was thrown from the court during a game and struck his head on a wall. The parents of the child are claiming that the wall should have been properly padded. To read more about this brain injury lawsuit, follow the link.

Unfortunately, sports related brain injuries are not uncommon. According to the medical journal, Pediatrics, 375,000 children and teenagers are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for basketball-related injuries. Four percent of those injuries involved head trauma. Follow the link to learn more about this brain injury study.

Basketball is not the only sport where players are at risk for brain injuries. According to Pediatrics, basketball only accounted for 9 percent of all sports related concussions among youths. Football, soccer, hockey, and baseball are all sports where players are at high risk for brain injuries caused by head trauma. Click on the link in order to learn more about sports related brain injuries.

Continue reading "15 year old sustains brain injury playing basketball" »

The Chicago Tribune recently turned a spotlight on the current debate in the state of Illinois regarding the prevalence of brain injuries—typically concussions—that affect many young area athletes.

The issue has received widespread attention lately following many high-profile examples of the consequences of repeated brain injuries. One doctor explained an important issue in the debate, goal, noting that “The key to concussions is early diagnosis. If you run right back to your sport or a lot of physical activity or your normal life, like schoolwork and stuff, that’s like a big second stress on the brain.”

Unfortunately, many athletes feel pressure from a variety of sources to return to a game as soon as possible after suffering one of these injuries. The failure to receive proper rest places burden on the injury and harms the recovery.

Blog readers are aware that the Illinois General Assembly is considering new regulations that would seek to limit the prevalence of these injuries. The bill proposes various education and awareness efforts to place the issue higher on the priority list for athletes, coaches, and parents. This legislation coincides with some helmet manufacturers efforts to improve safety. Many of the companies have come under pressure for inadequate designs that have knowingly led to far more brain injuries than should occur with proper helmet creation. Some Illinois brain injury lawsuits have been filed against those manufacturers for problems which often heave deadly consequences.

Continue reading "Illinois Brain Injuries Continue to Affect Student Athletes" »

March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month. As the month comes to an end, the Miami Herald published an article from a local high school student-athlete who had suffered a sports related brain injury.

The 16 year old sophomore suffered a concussion after a head to head collision with a fellow soccer player. This was not the sophomore’s first brain injury. The sophomore reported having three concussions in four years; all of which occurred while playing high school soccer.

Each year, nearly 140,000 high school athletes suffer a sports-related concussion. Several states are looking to pass laws to help prevent sport related brain injuries in high school student athletes. In Illinois, pending legislation is looking to provide education and awareness for athletes, coaches, and parents. Although student-athletes need parental consent before competing, few Illinois schools have policies informing student-athletes and parents of the nature and risk of head injuries.

Other states are trying to introduce similar bills. Some states even want a policy requiring players who sustain a suspected head injury to be immediately suspended from play until they receive clearance from a qualified medical professional. In Illinois, steps are being taken in Springfield to improve safety regulations for helmet manufacturers. To learn more about Illinois brain injuries, follow the link.

In the article, the sophomore regrets not seeking medical treatment sooner for his brain injuries. The sophomore complained of constant headaches that interfered with his academics. He also suffered from depression after doctors told him he would never be able to play soccer again. Although the student-athlete’s symptoms have improved and he has been able to return to soccer, he has to wear a rugby helmet during games.

According to the article, more than 40 percent of high school athletes return to play before they are fully recovered because schools, coaches, parents and players are not adequately educated on head injuries. In fact, brain injuries have been called the “silent epidemic” because few people are aware that they represent a serious health problem in the United States. Click on the link to read the full article about head injuries.

Continue reading "Illinois celebrates National Brain Injury Awareness Month" »

The Illinois General Assembly is considering legislation aimed at a problem often under the radar screen—sport-acquired concussions. The all-too-common brain injuries are dangerous for any number of reasons, including the fact that they often strike our community’s youth.

According to the Kane County Chronicle, a hearing was recently held regarding proposed legislation that would create uniform head-injury policies throughout the Illinois High School Association. In addition the bill proposes education efforts aimed at raising awareness of the concussion problem with student-athletes, coaches, and parents.

Of course, football remains the most dangerous sport for brain injuries. The head-to-head contact frequently sends young players to the hospital with a variety of brain concerns. Besides one-time brain problems, the repeated contact also has slow, long-term health effects for many young athletes. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a disorder that is caused by repeated brain injuries—it involves the buildup of proteins at the center of the brain.

This legislation coincides with some helmet manufacturers efforts to improve safety. Many of the companies have come under pressure for inadequate designs that have knowingly led to far more brain injuries than should occur with proper helmet creation. Some Illinois brain injury lawsuits have been filed against those manufacturers for problems which often heave deadly consequences.

Continue reading "Illinois Brain Injury Legislation Under Consideration" »

Fox 59 reported that a 20 year-old woman was critically injured after falling while sledding in Indiana. The victim suffered a brain injury from the accident. The victim's mother described the injury as a “basal skull fracture” that required surgery to reduce the swelling. The victim is currently in a medically induced coma, and will remain as such for the next two weeks.

When sledding is mentioned in conversation it is typically thought of as a relatively “safe” activity. Perhaps our perception of the sport needs to change. Sledding can be extremely dangerous, as evidenced by the tragedy that the victim and her family now face. A combination of high speeds, hard ice, and frequent falls is undoubtedly a dangerous one.

Like most young adults who go sledding, the victim was not wearing a helmet when her accident occurred. Her mother is urging young adults and parents to learn from this tragedy and wear a helmet when sledding. She hopes her daughter's accident will be a “wake-up call” to parents to make their kids wear helmets while sledding, "It could save a life." There is a sign at the top of the hill that states "Sled at your own risk" but the victim's parents said they feel more should be done to educate the community of accidents taking place on the hill.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should promote safe sledding from an early age. People should sled in remote areas away from cars and other vehicles. Young sledders should be supervised by adults, and sledders should always travel feet first, not head first, to prevent serious brain injuries. As mentioned above, the AAP also encourages helmet use and recommends sledders use steerable sleds.

Continue reading "Woman Suffers Brain Injury in Sledding Accident" »

Ice skaters, skiers and snowmobilers rejoice as snow continues to fall this winter season. But it is during these snowy months when winter sport enthusiasts become at high risk for brain injury.

Those participating in winter sports should wear a helmet to prevent head injuries. While helmets do not prevent concussions, they do protect the skull from factures. A report found that helmets reduce the risk of head injury among skiers and snowboarders by 35 percent.

Even pedestrians need to be cautious over the winter. Icy surfaces can cause pedestrians to slip and fall. The winter can also create dangerous driving situations for cars and trucks.

Although most head trauma accidents are minor, it’s important to be cautious following a head trauma to prevent further personal injury. Brain inury can cause the brain to swell, damaging brain and nerve tissues.

A victim of a head trauma should be carefully observed for early signs and symptoms of brain injury. Signs and symptoms can develop hours or even days after a head trauma. Early symptoms include severe headache, confusion, loss of balance, vomiting, slurred speech, and seizures.

Immediate treatment is necessary to determine if a victim is suffering from more severe symptoms such as uneven pupil size, convulsions, or blurred vision. These symptoms can be long-lasting or permanent in some cases.

Continue reading "Winter conditions increase the risk of brain injury" »

A high school senior from San Marcos, California has been in a permanent vegetative state since his 2007 brain injury. The high school senior, who played football for the high school, suffered a traumatic brain injury after collapsing during a school football game. Evidence in a pending lawsuit against the school district suggests that the school was aware of the student’s health problems and that his injury could have been avoided.

An assistant student trainer at the school has come forward and stated that the senior football player had complained to the school’s athletic trainer about headaches in the days before his injury.

Under oath, the assistant student trainer stated in a deposition that the injured senior complained about severe headaches to the school’s athletic trainer and had even skipped a few practices the week before his injury. The assistant student trainer also stated that, on the day of the game, the injured senior asked the school’s athletic trainer if he could sit out for the first part of the game. According to the student trainer, the injured student even told the athletic trainer that he was having trouble seeing the football.

The assistant student trainer also claims that the school’s athletic trainer brought these health concerns to the head coach of the football team. Regardless of these warning, the coach had the senior play right away. He collapsed 45 minutes into the game.

For more on this story, please visit the San Diego Union Tribune.

While the cause of the senior’s brain injury is unreleased, trauma, such as a concussion or contusion, is one of the leading causes of PVS (permanent vegetative state). According to the Times, high school football players suffer 43,000 to 67,000 concussions per year.

Continue reading "High school senior suffers brain injury while playing in a school football game" »

A lawsuit was recently filed according to Expert Click alleging that a young high school football player suffered a severe brain injury because of defective football equipment.

During last year’s Homecoming football game for Garey High School, 17 year old Edward Acuna was playing defensive tackle. Near the end of the game during the 4th quarter, Edward was hit on the front of his helmet. Following the impact, he fell down, got back up and stumbled to the sidelines where he fell again and lost consciousness.

After being flown to a hospital, he underwent an emergency craniotomy to relieve pressure and swelling caused by the head injury. Eventually, doctors discovered that Edward suffered a left subdural hematoma (bleeding on the brain). He was inflicted with severe and lasting physical and mental pain. He is partially paralyzed and will require treatment for the rest of his life.

Investigations in the cause of the accident have lead directly to the manufacturer of the football helmet that Edward was wearing, Riddell. The pad at the front of Edward’s helmet was defective. The company was made aware of the design problem years before, but they still failed to perform timely inspections to ensure that players who wore the helmet were not in danger. Their negligence led directly to the lifelong debilitating injuries that Edward has suffered.

Continue reading "Young Football Player Suffers Brain Injury" »

A traumatic brain injury is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. According to an AANA study utilizing U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s data, there were an estimated 446,788 sports related injuries treated at U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2009.

A recent study conducted on more than a hundred active and retired football players found that a retired NFL brain seemed to have its own blood flow and activity patterns, indicating that playing professional football causes long-term brain damage. The study consisted of two different types of brain imaging studies. The researchers did brain SPECT scans and QEEG studies to examine the blood flow and activity patterns, as well as the electrical activity of football players’ brains.

The study found that the damage typically affected the prefrontal cortex, the temporal lobes and the cerebellum. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for controlling judgment, impulse control, attention span, organization and planning. The temporal lobes control mood stability and memory, while the cerebellum controls coordination and thought coordination. Forty eight percent of the players who participated in the study also had problems with obesity, while thirty percent were suffering from or had been treated for depression.

The second part of the study looked at whether the brains of the football players that had been damaged by the trauma that goes along with playing football could be rehabilitated. With a brain healthy program, that included both mental and physical exercise and nutritional supplements that help support brain health, the researchers found improvement in cognitive function.

Continue reading "Sports and Traumatic Brain Injuries " »

According to a report on the Missoulian's website, a college football player has died after suffering a traumatic brain injury during a scrimmage over the weekend. The article notes that during play, the 21-year-old was hit in the head after tackling a teammate in one of the last plays of the game. Shortly after, he began vomitting and seizing on the sideline, both signs of a concussion. Trainers immediately called 911 and he went to a local hospital but was soon taken by medical helicopter to another medical center.

The young man was diagnosed with an acute subdural hematoma as a result of the blow to the head. According to the Medline, this condition occurs when blood collects on the surface of the brain and usually occurs after serious head trauma. The bleeding creates pressure on the brain and calls for immediate treatment to relieve intracranial pressure, such a crainotomy. In this victim's case, the pressure caused severe and irreversible brain damage and he died one day later.

Sports injuries are one of the biggest contributors to serious brain injuries. Over the past year, the issue of head injuries among football players has been prevalent in the media and according to Boston.com, the NFL recently announced that it will fund research at Boston University to study the effects and prevention of repetitive brain injuries in football players. For any athlete, whether biking, skiiing or playing football, it is important to wear the proper protective head gear to reduce the risk of head injuries. Unfortunately, due to the nature of these sports, injuries may still occur even when precautions are taken. To learn more about this tragic death due to brain injury, follow the link.

An 11-year-old Canadian girl died recently in a skiing accident. Though she was wearing a helmet, the protective device failed to prevent her from sustaining a serious brain injury. Her death highlight the need for parents to be vigilant about choosing the proper helmet when their children go skiing, biking or play sports such as hockey or football. Helmets should fit properly and parents should fit their growing children every year to ensure an appropriate fit. The article covering the girl’s death calls on the Canadian government to enact standards for all helmets to ensure safety in both children and adults. In the U.S., the CPSC has developed standards for bicycling helmets to prevent personal injuries such as traumatic brain injuries and groups such as the ASTM recommend helmets for skiing. To read the full account of the brain injury death that sparked the discussion of ski helmet standards in Canada, follow the link.

The Chicago personal injury attorneys at Levin & Perconti represent individuals and families in cases involving serious brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries can happen in a number of ways- in automobile accidents, participating in sports activities, through medical malpractice and even in a fall. The Brain Injury Association of America estimates that every year, 1.4 million people sustain traumatic brain injuries. While not all injuries can be avoided, there are steps people can take to protect themselves. For instance, we always recommend defensive driving to prevent car accidents. We also recommend that people wear helmets when participating in sports such as skiing, biking and football. If you believe that a loved one has a suffered a brain injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, please feel free to call Levin & Perconti to speak to a brain injury lawyer.

Todd Hays’ brain injury could heal within three months and without surgery. He recently had to drop his U.S. Olympic bobsled bid to make the Vancouver Games and retired after learning the extent of brain damage he sustained in a training crash. The bobsledder will need further evaluation of the bleeding in his brain and will have to be monitored for weeks. He does have full neurological function at this point. He had to retire after being told that his brain injury was worse than the preliminary concussion diagnosis had originally thought. His teammates initially knew something was wrong after their bobsled crashed in a training run. The athlete was told by doctors that more trauma could cause irreversible brain damage. However, the chief medical officer advised him that if he rested now the brain could heal itself. Concussions are not uncommon in the sport of bobsledding. This case highlights the need to rest after a brain injury, especially in the unique circumstances of athletes. To read more about the bobsledder’s brain injury, please click the link.

23-year-old Preston Plevretes, a former college football player, reached a settlement with LaSalle University, four years after he suffered a serious brain injury during a football game. The personal injury settlement was reached for $7.5 million and will cover the young man’s ongoing medical care and treatments for life. In 2005, Plevretes was knocked unconscious and fell into a coma after a hit during a game. Doctors performed emergency surgery to reduce swelling in the brain, however they could not repair all of the damage and today he has difficulty walking and communicating. According to the lawsuit, Plevretes suffered a concussion several days before the game during practice. The plaintiff’s injury attorney contended that because the university did not treat the concussion, it left Plevretes’ brain in a vulnerable state. Plevretes’ attorney noted that when someone’s brain is already swollen, it can quickly swell up and can easily lead to a herniation. This is likely what caused his life-changing injury. To read the full report on this brain injury settlement, click on the hyperlinked text.

In March of 2007 a young freshman in High School was tossing batting practice when a stray line drive found its way around a protective screen and struck the boy. He incurred a brain injury called expressive aphasia, leaving him with symptoms similar to a stroke victim. He had difficulty speaking and walking for a time. However, after 10 months he was back on the varsity boys’ team. Today you wouldn’t even now that he had suffered a traumatic brain injury. He worked hard and recovered from the brain injury. This case highlights the number of sports injuries that result in traumatic brain injuries. To read more about the brain recovery, please click the link.

One star high-school athlete experienced three separate concussions last year and has been side-lined because of the head injuries. A concussion specialist recommended that he be benched for the rest of his academic year to allow his brain time to fully heal. His tale is one for all parents, to be cautionary of missed signs of brain injury. No one realized the extent of his brain injury’s while he was playing, for if they had he would not have been allowed to continue to play until his brain was properly rested. They now believe he has suffered second impact syndrome. This occurs when the brain swells rapidly before the symptoms from an earlier concussion have subsided. This can be a potentially life-threatening condition. His parents now want others to know of the dangers of allowing young athletes to continue playing after receiving a serious hit to the head. Sometimes a CAT Scan can’t even detect a concussion. Some high schools require mandatory ImPACT tests after head injuries. To read more about brain injuries in sports, please click the link.

A junior in high school who suffered a brain injury during a football game is still in critical condition. The young man received the brain injury as a result of helmet-to-helmet contact. There was no damage to the player’s neck or spinal cord. The victim underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain and doctors are trying to keep the player as stable as possible. Football can be a dangerous sport that may result in brain injury. If you or a loved one has experienced a sports related brain injury, find an Illinois lawyer. To read more about the brain injury, please click the link.

A new study from the Brain Injury Journal indicates that people might soon benefit from a blood test that can detect damaged nerve cells. Medical researchers measured a protein that is indicative of brain damage in boxers and found that the boxers had evaluated levels. Scientists also discovered that the brain damage didn’t abate after a two-month layoff from contact. This means that you cannot just wait out brain damage, it might develop later. To read more about the brain injury test, please click the link.

New York Mets starting Third Basemen David Wright suffered a concussion this week when he was struck in the head by a baseball. He was hit when a Matt Cain fastball when strait to his head and caused him a serious brain injury. He is being set to the disabled list for the first time in his career because of the brain injury. The league is attempting to make players wear a new helmet that protects players’ heads better. To read more about David Wright’s concussion, click here.

While in practice, Chris Jansen, a high school senior on the football team suffered a brain injury. He took a serious hit and went to the sideline. He sat out only a few plays but came right back out onto the field. When Chris arrived home, he had a headache and was very sick. His parents took him to the hospital; the doctors determined that Chris had a serious brain injury. Chris had surgery and because of the early detection, hopes to make a full recovery. To read more about this football players brain injury, click here.

The family of an Illinois High School football player sued the school on Tuesday because of a brain injury their child suffered. The child was having headaches and showed signs of a concussion. The parents believe that because of the coach’s win at all costs mentality, their son played injured, which caused his brain injury. To read more about this football player's brain injury and the Illinois high school football team involved, click here.

US skier Cody Marshal is in critical condition after suffering a traumatic head injury. Cody was sliding down an escalator railing when he fell 20 feet and suffered a head injury. The accident occurred at 11:30pm and he was with teammates at the time. He is now at University Hospital in Salt Lake City and is listed in critical condition. To read more, click on “Head Injury Leaves U.S. Skier Hospitalized”

A study was done to determine whether high school football players were receiving hits that were more likely to cause head trauma and brain injuries than college players. This study was done in Illinois, at the University of Illinois –Champaign. The study showed that high school tackles cause 10% more G-force to the person, making them more likely to get a concussion. The study believes that the increased G-force is from high school players being smaller and not tackling properly. Almost 6% of high school football players suffer brain injuries and many more brain injuries go unreported. To read the entire article, click here on “Football Causes Many Brain Injuries for High School Athletes”

Two players collided in a softball game that took place on June 18, causing one player a serious brain injury. The brain injury the player suffered led to his death only two days later. The 29 year old man’s family will have a softball tournament in his honor on August 8th. To read the entire article click here “Brain Injury”

A 43 year old woman fell off a golf cart last week and it caused a serious brain injury. The woman had been drinking and standing on the cart, when the cart hit a city street, she fell and landed on her head causing the brain injury. The leading cause of brain injuries are falls. The woman never regained consciousness and her family took her off life support. To read more click here “brain injury”

The National Football League is funding a study of mild traumatic brain injury in retired players. The study will measure the long-term effects of head injuries such as concussions and will also try to prevent future injuries by focusing on safety. Rules for play to prevent brain injuries will be created and enforced. Safety equipment will also be evaluated and redesigned to offer maximum protection against injury. To read the entire article that discusses the NFL’s efforts to battle mild traumatic brain injury, follow the link.

Summer is approaching and with this more people will be traveling and participating in sporting activities. This increase in activity brings with it an increased risk of traumatic brain injury. People became more aware of the seriousness of brain injuries this winter when Natasha Richardson died after a skiing accident. In the hours after her accident, she felt okay, but soon fell into a coma from which she never recovered. Her death highlighted the importance of seeking treatment any time the symptoms of brain injury appear. If you or a loved one suffers a head injury in an accident, watch closely for any symptoms such as nausea, headache, ringing ears or extreme tiredness. It is better to be too cautious when these symptoms occur. You should seek medical treatment sooner, rather than when it’s too late. Additionally, be proactive in preventing head injuries from occurring in the first place. If you are playing a sport or riding a bike or skateboard, wear a helmet. Also, always wear your safety belt to avoid head injuries if you are involved in a car accident. Safe practices and knowledge of the signs and symptoms of brain injuries may help lower the risk for serious injury or death. To read more about the symptoms of brain injury, follow the link.

The Chicago brain injury lawyers at Levin & Perconti recommend that all bicyclists wear helmets for protection against traumatic brain injury. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it is also very important to wear a properly fitted helmet when preparing to ride. The NHTSA website recommends several things when choosing a helmet. First, choose a helmet that has been tested and approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Also, make sure to buy a helmet that fits well before you even adjust the straps. They also recommend buying a helmet that you like, you will be more likely to wear it if you feel good in it. Finally, never wear a helmet that is cracked.

A Dallas-area teenager suffered a severe head injury when he was struck in the head by a baseball hurled from a pitching machine at the local batting cages. The boy was not wearing a helmet. The boy suffered a brain injury which included bruising of his brain and fractured facial bones. Brain injuries, resulting from not wearing helmets in batting cages, have led to deaths in previous instances. The boy is expected to be OK but cannot play baseball for the next six months. To read more about this brain injury, please click here.

An op-ed published by the New York Times draws attention to the fact that people do not know a lot about traumatic brain injury. Until the recent death of actress Natasha Richardson, many people had not realized the devastating effects a brain injury can have upon a person. According to the article, sports facilities where people could have a higher risk for brain injuries do little to educate staff about how to respond to brain injuries. The article also points out the lack of government funding for brain injury research.To read the full article on traumatic brain injury, please follow the link.

Edwin Valero, a Venezuelan lightweight/junior welterweight/welterweight fighter with a record of 24-0, is having trouble getting cleared to fight in the US due to an old brain injury. In 2004, during an pre-fight examination in New York, the fighter was unable to get a license due to this brain injury. To date, the only US jurisdiction which has licensed Valero is TX. To read more about this brain injured fighter, please click here.

Actress Natasha Richardson died yesterday of a traumatic brain injury suffered while skiing in Canada earlier this week. Natasha’s injury is bringing to light a type of brain injury known as epidural hemorrhaging, or talk and die syndrome. Characteristics of this type of brain injury make it hard to diagnose as the victim usually seems symptomless for up to several days before the condition of the victim begins to decline rapidly. To read more about this type of brain injury, please click here.

As more details of the tragic traumatic brain injury suffered by actress Natasha Richardson come to light, the true complexity of diagnosing and treating brain injury victims drawing national media attention. Symptoms of traumatic brain injury sometimes do not manifest until minutes or sometimes hours after the victim suffers a blow to the head. To read more about Natasha Richardson’s condition, please click here.

Actress Natasha Richardson was involved in a serious skiing accident yesterday. She suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of the crash. The full extent of her condition is not known at this time, but she is listed in critical condition at a hospital close to the ski resort. Read the full article on the actress’s brain injury by following the link.

A 12 year old boy from Nebraska suffered a traumatic brain injury while playing football. Despite suffering serious injuries to both sides of the brain, the boy has begun walking and eating on his own. Periodically, traumatic brain injuries in sports can result from faulty equipment provided by the athletic league or school district. Details on the cause of the brain injury are unknown at this time. To read more about this brain injury story, please click here.

Tom McHale, a former NFL player who died last year of a drug overdose, was suffering from a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (or CTE). It has been revealed that six of seven former NFL players who died by the age of 50 had this disease, which is caused by repeated head trauma. Symptoms of CTE include losing emotional control and lack of impulse control. To find an Illinois Lawyer practicing in this area, please contact Levin & Perconti. To read more about this brain injury story, please click here.

A study released by the department of neuropsychology at the University of Montreal has revealed that a young adult’s suffering of even one concussion through violent sports such as hockey and football may cause a decline in the ability to retain information and focus as the athlete ages. Brain injury lawsuits can sometimes follow the negligent supervision or faulty equipment provided the student athlete by the school district and coaching staff. To find an Illinois lawyer with experience in brain injury litigation, please contact Levin & Perconti. To read more about the long term effects of concussions on athletes, please click here.

A former high school football player in Chesterfield, IN has filed a lawsuit against the school district claiming the use of a faulty football helmet has led to his brain injury. This head injury lawsuit claims the football coaches were aware the helmet was defective but ordered the player to practice anyway. At this time, the head injury damages sought are unknown. To read more about this head injury story, please click here.

Two days after being declared brain dead, Jayne Campbell Soliman, a former British ice skating champion, gave birth. Mrs. Soliman was kept alive with machines after suffering from a brain hemorrhage in order to give doctors time to perform an emergency caesarian section, removing her baby girl. Swift action and excellent care from her physicians and medical team made this miracle possible. Soliman was air-lifted to the hospital soon after developing the brain injury, where she was pronounced brain dead shortly after arrival.

To read more click here.

An 11-year-old North Carolina boy was left with a permanent brain injury after doctors made numerous medical mistakes during his treatment. After falling from a tree, the boy received treatment riddled with instances of medical malpractice. After detecting a shoulder injury, the boy was given herapin, a blood thinner, to treat a blood clot in his shoulder. The boy’s brachial plexus nerves of his spinal cords had been damaged and that injury had gone unnoticed, and as a result, the herapin caused bleeding in the spinal cord. Additionally, a mass called a subdural hematoma was located in his skull and doctors placed a halo around his head to stabilize his spine. One of the four screws used to keep the halo in place was screwed in ¾ inch too far by a medical resident, which caused further bleeding in the brain. As a result, the child suffered a significant brain injury and will be forced to live with severe cognitive impairments, preventing him from ever living independently or holding a job. A jury ruled in favor of the boy in the medical malpractice lawsuit, awarding him over $10 million from the various defendants. For the full story, click here.

While helmets have come a long way from the leather caps that football players once wore, recent serious brain injuries and wrongful deaths occurring on the football field have people wondering whether helmet technology can ever go far enough. Communities throughout the country have felt the devastation sometimes associated with brain injuries.

For the full article.

TBI Clubhouses are opening around the nation to help support brain injured victims. Brain injuries can occur for a variety of reasons from participation in contact sports to involvement in a car accident or bike accident. Brain injuries leave some victims unable to function or carry out daily tasks to live on their own. Traumatic Brain Injury homes exist to provide support, a social network and medical care to victims of brain injuries. A mother whose son experienced a brain injury after a truck accident has opened a new Midwest clubhouse to provide support to families who struggle similar to herself. Brain injury bills are high whether due to medical expenses or trial expenses and some foundations help in meeting those costs. To read more about this courageous mother’s story click here.

To help reduce athletic concussions, public school officials have begun to take steps to reduce the number of concussions that student athletes suffer. The school district will implement a computerized program that allows coaches and administrators to assess an individual’s baseline and post-brain injury neurocognitive abilities. Concussions are a form of brain injury and any step to reduce their prevalence is a step in the right direction.

For the full article.

According to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate, children aged 5-18 suffer at least 96,000 sports-related brain injuries yearly. As many as twenty percent of all high school football players sustain concussions annually. These brain injuries are especially troubling because teenage brain tissue is still developing. However, most high schools and colleges fail to provide athletes the kind of neuropsychological testing that is needed to assist in their recovery.

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The recent injuries suffered by Dominic DiAngi who was hit by a foul ball while watching the Cubs play at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois have brought to public attention some risks of watching baseball. If a fan is struck by an errant ball while at a field, the team while not likely be held legally responsible. Teams are practically immune in almost all cases, so the injured fan will bear the cost of his injuries. Exemplifying this is the mini contract printed on the back of each ticket warning that the holder “assumes all risk and danger incidental to the sport of baseball.” However, the teams are not completely immune, for example, legal precedent requires netting to be placed in front of the most dangerous areas of the stands, but fans are still liable for any balls or bats that make it past that netting. Laws in Illinois in the 1990s emphasized immunity from lawsuits for clubs that do put up netting.

It may seem like a remote possibility that a fan will be injured at a game, but about 300 people a year are hospitalized after receiving injuries from being struck by foul balls at major and minor league games. In 1970, a 14-year-old was killed after being struck in the head by a foul ball. Read more here.

A youth injured at a Chicago, Illinois White Sox Game may face a serious medical surgery. The nine year old was hit by a ball at the game resulting in personal injury and a brain injury. The boy remains optimistic as his family hopes he will recover from the freak accident with ease. Serious injuries are common at sporting events but rarely result in personal injury lawsuits due to the “assumption of risk” doctrine. Suprinsingly the youth still remains a Chicago, Illinois White Sox fan…a result that Cubs fans would say is just another side effect of the personal injury he suffered. To read the full story on this brave little boy click here.