Youth sports, tackle football in particular, have been under fire lately as the discovery and continued research regarding the connection between playing and the potential for impaired cognitive development and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). A recent Medscape article included the results of a recent study that found that professional football players who started tackle football before the age of 12 had a greater cognitive impairment later in life than their contemporaries who started playing at a later age than 12.
Repeated Impact to The Head
It may or may not come as a surprise to many people that repeated impact to the head of a developing brain is associated with cognitive difficulties later down the line. As more information comes to light about the inadequacies of protective gear and current football helmet technology, it’s pretty easy to see how the results of this study came about.
Traumatic Brain Injury by The Numbers
• In 2010, 2.5 million TBI’s occurred as either an isolated injury or along with other injuries.
• Each day in the U.S., 138 people die from injuries that include TBI.
• From 2006 to 2010, motor vehicle crashes were the third leading cause of TBI and the second leading cause of TBI-related deaths.
• Motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of hospitalization for adolescents and people between the ages of 15 and 44 years of age.
Traumatic Brain Injury in Children
Traumatic brain injury in children can be difficult for parents and caregivers to notice. If your child has suffered from a blow to the head, even when wearing a football helmet, it’s absolutely essential to have a medical evaluation. Additionally, be on the lookout for abnormal behavior, which could signify a brain injury. Recognizing and diagnosis brain injury in small children can be especially difficult, as their symptoms may be brushed off as temper tantrums or typical toddler behavior.
When to Call a Personal Injury Lawyer
If your child has suffered from a concussion or traumatic brain injury while participating in youth sports, you need to talk to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. If you have questions, contact the team at Alexander Law Group, today at 888-777-1776.
