San Diego brain injury attorney

October 10, 2014

Brain Impairment at Younger Age for Tackle Football Players

New Court Documents on NFL Brain Injuries

Even after the NFL settlement related to concussions and traumatic brain injuries last summer, many former players are still not satisfied. A current lawsuit accuses the NFL of “hiding information that linked concussions to brain injuries,” according to a recent story from ABC News. In response to those accusations, the NFL filed documents suggesting that “NFL players are likely to suffer chronic brain injury at a significantly higher rate than the general population,” and “show neurocognitive impairment at a much younger age.”

What kinds of long-term symptoms do tackle football players experience? According to the article, the following statistics concern rates for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia:

August 14, 2014

New California Law Aimed at Brain Injury Prevention

by Walton Law Firm

Traumatic Brain Injuries and California Sports

Brain injuries and American football have, unfortunately, seemed to go hand in hand in recent years. Despite the popularity of contact sports, commentators have suggested that contact sports may have to be scaled back in the coming years due to the high risk of serious head trauma. Research suggests that even a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) like a concussion can have life-threatening consequences. Indeed, a number of professional football players have been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a dangerous degenerative brain condition caused by multiple concussions, while a number of high school athletes have sustained severe brain injuries on the field.

What’s California doing to prevent serious head injuries? According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, Governor Jerry Brown recently signed into law a bill that is designed to protect student athletes from serious TBIs. Specifically, it “prohibits football teams at middle and high schools from holding full-contact practices that exceed 90 minutes a day,” while it also “limits the number of full-contact practices during the season to two per week.” In addition, it prohibits coaches from holding any contact practices at any point during the off-season.

July 17, 2014

Female Athletes, High School Athletes, and Brain Injury Severity

by Walton Law Firm

Are certain athletes at greater risk of a debilitating brain injury than others? According to an article in Women’s Health, female and younger athletes may “take longer to recover from concussions.” The article cited a new study conducted by researchers in Michigan State University’s Department of Kinesiology. How can this information help victims of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)? In short, the findings suggest that treatment options should be different based on the age and sex of the victim, and physicians should take these factors into account when treating patients with head trauma.

Age and Sex Impact Recovery: Details of the Study

According to Tracey Covassin, the lead researcher on the study, “females performed worse than males on visual memory tests” after sustaining a TBI, and females also “reported more symptoms postconcussion.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that concussions are a form of mild traumatic brain injury, and they’re typically characterized by a “bump, blow, or jolt to the head.” Typically, concussions aren’t life-threatening injuries, but they can have serious and debilitating effects nonetheless.

May 20, 2014

Baseball Coach Sustains Traumatic Brain Injury

by Walton Law Firm

Much of the recent news surrounding traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and sports has focused on the NFL. Yet researchers emphasize that many different contact sports can leave players and coaches susceptible to severe head trauma, and a recent accident in Tehachapi, California has left a baseball coach serious injured.

According to a recent article in Yahoo Sports, Tehachapi High School baseball coach Chris Olofson “suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain after being hit in the head by a line drive while coaching.” Will the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) change its tune about coaching and safety requirements?

Brain injuries can result from many different accidents, but contact sports can be particularly dangerous. If you have sustained a TBI while playing or coaching sports, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. ASan Diego brain injury lawyer at the Walton Law Firm can discuss your case with you today.