CDC estimates that 1.6 – 3.8 million concussions happen every year. Out of these people, 173,285 require treatment in the emergency department for concussions and TBIs (Traumatic Brain Injuries). In any sports season, almost 5 to 10% athletes sustain some form of concussion. With football or soccer, the risk of concussion for men is 75% while the same for women is 50%. Other sports with high risk rates for concussion include girls’ softball, boys’ baseball, boys’ wrestling and boys’ basketball. Despite these statistics, diagnosis and reporting rates are low for concussions.
Common symptoms include headaches followed by dizziness, slurring, memory issues, coordination and balance issues, slow reaction time, sound and light sensitivity, and dazed state.
Concussion Awareness: New Guidelines
According to the American Academy of Neurology’s new guidelines, concussions should be diagnosed by doctors on a case to case basis. The athletes who are suspected of having a concussion should be removed from play immediately. Coaches have also been trained on concussion awareness so that the symptoms can be recognized and dealt with. This is mainly because of pressure in sports where boys and girls are asked to “man up” and ignore symptoms.
Liability Waivers in Sports
Most sports organizations and institutions require parents and children to sign liability waivers stating that all legal rights against the business would be waived off by the individual signing the waiver. However, in Florida, it should not be assumed that this liability waiver is binding and legal in all circumstances. As per Florida law, “due care in a reasonably prudent manner” should have been exercised in order for the liability waiver to hold.
Zimmerman & Frachtman Injury Attorneys
There are some inherent risks present in every sport which are mostly balanced out by the benefits that individuals receive from playing. However, it is the responsibility of youth sports programs, athletes and parents to ensure that risks other than the inherent ones are controlled.
Zimmerman & Frachtman personal injury attorneys can help injured athletes understand their rights and help them if they have a just cause to pursue legal action against a business, in spite of a liability waiver. Call us now and set up a consultation session to find out more.