Debilitating Injuries in Football & Negligence
Fall is quickly approaching in Chester County and, of course, all of PA. Nothing screams “Fall” more than football, and PA is rife with football fanatics as it is part of the state culture.
All types of football practices began in the summer, and all manner of football leagues exist, from Knee-High football for younger players all the way to high school, college, and, of course, professional football.
There have long been documented serious injuries associated with football. From immediate injuries to those that only appear after years of play. But these do exist, and it is one of the more dangerous sports compared to basketball and other sports.
The reasons for the dangers are clear. Football is not only a contact sport but one that entails tackling other players and using force to bring other players down to the ground. Size matters, and power plays with force are the norm.
It is important in the Chester County, PA, area to have a free evaluation by a knowledgeable injury attorney such as Chris Hoey of Paoli, PA, if a football injury occurs. Symptoms do not always show up immediately, and a quick response is needed.
Although statistics on the number of injuries and types of injuries vary from year to year, the NFL (National Football League) does keep a running tally of these with yearly updates. Both pre-season, off-season, and actual playing season injuries are tracked to try and improve safety.
Most documented injuries occur in the ankle, spine, face, and, of course, the brain. Although helmets are used, these do not prevent all concussions or TBIs (Traumatic Brain Injuries). There also are what can only be called “build-up” brain injuries, where repeated blows to the head result in consequences later in life.
According to Time.com, TBIs (Traumatic Brain Injury) or CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalothapy) were found in a whopping 87 percent of NFL players. CTE was most common as top players remained on the field for years.
These conditions/injuries can also occur in youngsters and high school and college sports, and parents and players should always have the name of a TBI and serious injury attorney like Christian J. Hoey on hand both during pre-season and actual playing season.
Impacts of Debilitating Football Injuries
Of course, all injuries should be taken seriously. But others, such as neck, spine, and brain injuries, can have a serious impact on an athlete’s life, no matter what the age. A debilitating injury can also have an impact on an entire family. The most serious ones listed below have the most impact, both present and future.
· Spinal injuries
The overall impact of these injuries depends on the section of the spine which is injured. On a field, however, it is difficult to tell how serious this type of injury is, and a player is immediately back-boarded and taken to the nearest emergency room for evaluation.
Since these types of injuries can result in paralysis, an ambulance is usually present during games, and a Duty of Care does exist for both the stadiums and the coaches and other personnel present. If a player cannot get up, even if only because of an ankle injury, it should not be assumed that a spinal injury is not present as well.
· Traumatic brain injuries
As explained prior, TBIs can be both immediate and long-term. Concussions are not always serious, according to the Mayo Clinic, but should be treated as such until proven otherwise. Most players that suffer one are hospitalized for at least a brief period to determine the extent of the damage.
Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and even lethargy. Some serious concussions can lead to bleeding from the nose or mouth. These are Traumatic Brain Injuries, and action needs to be swift and sure when a player has a suspected head injury.
Several concussions or head injuries can lead to CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalothapy), and this condition is incurable and can resemble Alzheimer’s with mood swings, memory loss, and other devastating lifelong consequences. As a side note, the sport of boxing can also reveal this condition years after repeated injuries.
Summary– Debilitating Injuries in Football—Proving Negligence
Participating in football is not mandatory, and most players on all levels are asked to sign documentation absolving the entities supporting the sport from liability. This makes these types of negligence cases and lack of duty of care difficult to prove for a plaintiff’s attorney.
This is why it is absolutely imperative, if living in the Chester County area and other surrounding areas, to contact HoeyLegal whenever an injury in football or other sports occurs. Medical records reviews must be complete, and witnesses must be interviewed. Time cannot be lost in these types of cases, as the consequences can be life-disrupting.
Christian J. Hoey provides a free evaluation and can be reached via phone at 1-888-GO-HOEY1 or 610-647-5151. With decades of experience, Mr. Hoey and his team are dedicated to the health of all football and other sports players. Team Hoey is a “Go Team” experience for the representation of injured players.