An increasing number of high school football players are suffering from major traumatic brain injuries, including subdural hematomas (which involve blood on the brain). According to a report from the University of North Carolina, thirteen out of every 1.1 million high school football players suffer from subdural hematomas. If this number seems small, keep in mind that this is the highest number tallied since brain injury stats were first collected by UNC in 1984.
Researchers believe that today’s modern style of play is behind the increased number of serious injuries. Young players are using their heads more, perhaps modeling their strategy after many of the hard-hitting pros. Defensive backs seem to suffer the brunt of these major brain injuries; they account for a full 34.6% of the catastrophic TBIs recorded between 1977 and 2011. Meanwhile, tackling accounted for 59.8% of the injuries (19.1% involved tackling “head down”).
Coaches, high schools, committees, and related organizations claim they are doing everything possible to minimize the level of risk that players are exposed to. For example, a new rule was established this year requiring a player to sit out for a full down if his helmet falls off unrelated to a foul. Parents are encouraged to play a role by knowing how coaches are teaching kids to block and tackle, and knowing about the science of concussions.
If your child has suffered a brain injury because of someone else’s neglect or recklessness, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact an experienced brain injury lawyer in your area today using the Personal Injury Lawyer Directory.
