Every year, as many as 3.8 million U.S. athletes, ranging from elementary-aged children to professional adults, suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI). More than half of all cases require surgical intervention to correct contusions and hematomas resulting from the injury. While some brain injuries heal on their own, many more can have lasting consequences, with the worst causing permanent cognitive and physical changes or even death.
It is important for athletes, as well as their coaches and parents, to be aware of the risk of TBI, including how to prevent a TBI, what symptoms may indicate a TBI, and what resources are available to support those who have been injured. Check out the list of resources below for more information:
- HEADS UP to Youth Sports: Online Training. This online course from the CDC offers student athletes, parents, coaches and educators the opportunity to learn a broad range of TBI topics, including how to prevent and respond to these injuries.
- Concussion Toolkit for Parents, Players and Coaches. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool provides a wealth of information on how to provide support to children who have suffered a concussion.
- Living with Brain Injury. This guide from the Brain Injury Association of America discusses what functions of the brain are impacted as a result of TBI.
- Keep Your Head About You – And Keep Your Kid from Losing Theirs. This resource provides a wealth of information on the impact traumatic brain injuries has on youth and professional athletes, as well as a call to action on how to make contact sports safer for everyone.
- Concussion in Sports. This pamphlet from the American College of Sports Medicine provides information on what may cause a concussion as well as the symptoms to look out for.
While we all want to enjoy the physical and character-building benefits of sports participation, it is extremely important to do so as safely as possible.
If you or your child has suffered a brain injury while playing sports and suffered further injury due to the carelessness of another, you may have legal recourse. We encourage you to contact Politis & Matovina, P.A. to schedule a complimentary case evaluation with a Daytona Beach brain injury attorney at our firm. Contact us online or call our office at (386) 333-6613.