If you have a school-aged child playing organized sports, you’re correct to worry about concussions and the potential of a long-term brain injury. Brain injuries resulting from concussions can have long-lasting impacts if not immediately treated.
This problem can be especially true for younger athletes since their brains haven’t fully developed yet. This is why it’s imperative for parents to immediately contact a doctor and a brain injury lawyer in Los Angeles if they suspect the school system of sports organizations did not follow the appropriate concussion protocols.
Contact Steinberg injury lawyers today for your free initial consultation. Learn more about the California concussion protocol below.
What is the Concussion Protocol?
California Education Code 49475 requires school systems to follow strict concussion protocols. It essentially states:
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Students who have sustained a concussion or head injury must be removed from all athletic activities for the remainder of the day.
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They can’t return to athletic activities until they’ve been evaluated.
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They must receive written clearance from a licensed medical provider to return.
While these rules are specifically for children playing sports in school, most other sporting organizations are held to similar standards. If they neglect to follow the proper protocols, they can be held liable for specific injuries.
Why is it Important?
If your child suffered a head injury but was not afforded the appropriate treatment and care, they could suffer long-term brain injuries. Chiefly, mental health issues are rampant among younger athletes subjected to repeated head trauma without treatment. Other consequences can include:
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Traumatic brain injury
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Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
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Blurred vision
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Headaches
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Decreased attention span
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Vertigo
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Anxiety
Your child’s long-term safety is at risk when a potential brain injury-causing accident is not treated according to well-defined concussion protocols.
What to do if Your Child Has Sustained a Concussion
The exact steps to take after your child’s head has collided with an object or another person in a sporting event depends on the severity of the collision and your child’s response. If they are unconscious, you should immediately seek medical attention.
If they are coherent, show no signs of cognitive dissonance, and can verbally tell you how they feel, then the medical staff on the field should be able to take care of the injury. However, it may not be worth the risk of merely relying on their opinion. You should always follow up with a doctor after a head injury, regardless of what the medical staff says.
If you’re not at your child’s practices or games, it’s essential to have a conversation with them as often as possible about potential situations that may have led to a concussion. Children often hide their injuries from their parents, especially if the parent was already cautious of them playing a sport.
Contact a Brain Injury Lawyer Today
Steinberg Injury Lawyers represents clients who have suffered injuries due to another person’s negligence, including injuries resulting from a failure to follow concussion protocols. Coaches and athletic trainers are held to a high standard that must be maintained for the children’s best interest under their supervision.
If your child or a family member has experienced a sport-related concussion and you believe the concussion protocols were not adequately followed, contact an experienced brain injury attorney at Steinberg Injury Lawyers today for your free initial consultation.
