Football is a beloved sport for many Americans. It is full of excitement, passion, and competition. Unfortunately, the game has an ever-growing dilemma that is increasingly difficult to ignore - traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Recent studies have revealed the long-term health consequences associated with playing football, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
For this reason, players need education on the potential forms of brain injury and at what stage they need a traumatic brain injury lawyer to prove the severity of brain injury.
This blog post explores the realities of traumatic brain injury in football from its prevalence among all levels of play to potential solutions for reducing head trauma.
We will also discuss why understanding traumatic brain injury laws should be a priority for everyone involved in football whether as a participant or fan.
What is traumatic brain injury?
Traumatic brain injury is a type of brain injury that occurs when an external force causes damage to the brain. Traumatic brain injury can happen when the head unexpectedly and violently hits an object. It is also prevalent when an object penetrates the skull and enters brain tissue.
Symptoms of traumatic brain injury can vary greatly, depending on the severity of the injury. Mild symptoms may include a temporary loss of consciousness or confusion. It can also be severe, such as coma or amnesia. In some cases, traumatic brain injury can lead to long-term problems with cognition, movement, sensation, or emotions.
Treatment for traumatic brain injury varies based on the severity of the injury. For milder injuries, rest and over-the-counter pain medications may be all that is needed. However, more severe injuries may require hospitalization and intensive rehabilitation for the individual.
There is no definitive answer to preventing traumatic brain injury in football players. Some suggest a change of rules to the sport. For example, banning tackling in practice or banning certain types of hits during games may help reduce the risk of TBI.
Others believe that improved equipment design, such as better helmets that better protect the head from impact, may also help reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury. That is why it is important to know some traumatic brain injury laws to find what is truly permitted in the sport and when you might need to consult a personal injury lawyer.
Traumatic Brain Injury Laws
The case of a traumatic brain injury may form the basis of a legal inquiry. This is applicable in cases where the actions or inactions of one party cause another to sustain a brain injury.
Legal inquiries can proceed based on the following theoretical laws, these may include:
A case of negligence
Medical malpractice
Assault
Trip and fall
All of the aforementioned above may necessitate legal action. For instance, in the case of trip and fall or slip and fall, such cases may occur from uneven floors, clustered walking surfaces, or inadequate lighting.
In any case, alongside medical personnel, you need the expertise of a traumatic brain injury lawyer to ascertain the causation of the accident. This ensures all medical records, facts, and evidence of your brain injury are well covered so you can focus on recovery.
The Dangers of Traumatic Brain Injury
Football as a sport traditionally values toughness, and this often results in collisions between players. As the number of reported concussions in football continues to rise, so does the concern over the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury.
TBI can lead to a wide range of problems, including:
Memory loss
Depression
Anxiety
Problems with coordination and balance
In severe cases, it can even lead to dementia or death.
There are a variety of factors that can contribute to the severity of a traumatic brain injury. Many of which include the force of the impact and the angle at which the head is hit. This determines whether or not the person loses consciousness. Repeated head trauma is another major factor, as it can lead to cumulative damage.
It is impossible to eliminate the risk of traumatic brain injury in football. But some measures can be taken to reduce its occurrence. These include:
Better helmets and mouthguards
Stricter return-to-play guidelines
More comprehensive sideline concussion protocols
The long-term effects of traumatic brain injury are also disconcerting. Studies have linked TBI with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Other research has suggested that TBI may contribute to the development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a degenerative brain condition that has been found in many former football players.
The potential consequences of suffering a TBI are serious enough that every effort should be made to reduce the risk of injury. This starts with proper training and equipment for all levels of play from youth leagues to the professional ranks. It also includes adopting rule changes aimed at reducing contact between players, for example, banning or limiting certain types of contact.
How to Prevent Traumatic Brain Injury?
The best way to prevent traumatic brain injury is to avoid head trauma. This can be done by wearing properly fitting protective equipment, such as helmets and mouthguards during all sports and recreational activities.
Some steps can be taken to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury if head trauma does occur. For example, prompt medical attention can help to ensure that any resulting swelling or bleeding is quickly controlled. In addition, rehabilitation and cognitive therapies can help those who have suffered a TBI to regain some or all of their previous functioning.
Conclusion
Traumatic brain injury in football is a growing dilemma that cannot be ignored. Even with all of the advances in safety protocols, athletes and their families remain at risk as long as they participate in contact sports such as football.
It is essential for everyone involved from parents to coaches to medical personnel to take steps to ensure that player safety remains paramount. No one else has to suffer an injury due to negligence or ignorance. We must keep searching for ways to protect our athletes and make sure that this ever-growing dilemma does not go unresolved.
