As Hollywood tells the story of Dr. Bennet Omalu–the man who discovered the link between football and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) brain damage– in its latest film Concussion, lawsuits against youth sports organizations like Pop Warner are springing up. This is particularly the case as more and more parents are growing concerned about the effects high contact sports like football have had on their children, who played long before they turned 18, and could have permanently damaged their brains and mental and emotional capacities as a result.
Specifically, the first ever wrongful lawsuit filed against Pop Warner last year over a player who committed suicide at age 25 and suffered from CTE could open the floodgates and bring into question the ‘cons’ that youth football is having on the nation. And while many focus on the NFL specifically, other experts point out that, in fact, repetitive head injuries are often even more dangerous for those who are younger and whose brains are still developing than they are for the professional adult players in the NFL.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
CTE is a degenerative brain disease typically found in athletes who have suffered from repetitive brain trauma, which can include both symptomatic and asymptomatic subconcussive hits. Although historically associated with boxing, it is also commonly found in football and hockey players, as well as other athletes who participate in high contact sports and are exposed to repetitive brain trauma, and concussions.
CTE can even affect young players who have only played the sport at issue for a few years, but sadly, often emerges as late as eight to ten years after repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries occur. Those who suffer from it can experience attention deficits, disorientation, headaches, memory loss, erratic behavior, and even dementia, depression, and suicidality.
Lawsuits
The wrongful death lawsuit at issue against Pop Warner alleged that coaches within the Pop Warner football league were improperly trained on how to ensure that hitting amongst youth participants was limited, disregarding their right to health and safety. Just last month, this particular suit settled for an undisclosed amount.
Previously, former students have filed lawsuits against similar associations over their failure to provide proper protocols on managing concussions and preventing permanent injuries in youth players. Arguably, given what is known about repetitive traumatic brain injuries at this time, any sports associations and leagues profiting from youth playing high contact sports—at a minimum—need to have a requirement that any athlete who appears to be suffering be removed right away in order to take the proper precautionary measures.
Contact Concussion and Head Trauma Attorneys
If your child has suffered a concussion or head trauma due to someone else’s negligence, the attorneys at Harrell & Nowak can help you and your child. Contact our Louisiana brain injury lawyers today for a free consultation and find out how to get the compensation you and your family deserve.