Traumatic Brain Injuries in Sports
Sports activities offer youth and adults alike a number of benefits, including improved physical and mental health and general enjoyment. Unfortunately, all sports also carry a degree of risk. Every time an athlete steps foot on a field, whether for practice or game play, they are at risk of suffering an injury.
Many sports injuries involve a traumatic brain injury, or TBI. A brain injury can compromise physical, cognitive, and emotional functions, so symptoms are widespread, and can be long-lasting or permanent. Individuals in the Brooklyn, NY, area who suffer a traumatic brain injury during sports can work with lawyers at Zucker & Regev, P.C., to determine if they are due financial compensation for injury damages.
Sports with the Highest Rates of Traumatic Brain Injury
Any sport has the potential to cause injury, but some carry a higher degree of risk than others. And the risk of a traumatic brain injury is significantly higher in some sports. Based on data collected regarding emergency room visits, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly half of recreation-related traumatic brain injuries among children were the result of contact sports. The sports with the highest rates of traumatic brain injury are football, basketball, and soccer.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
The brain plays a role in how a person moves, how they process and express ideas, and how they express emotions. Because the brain is such a central part of a person’s physical, cognitive, and emotional functions, traumatic brain injury symptoms may impact all areas of a person’s life. Depending on what part of the brain is injured, and how severely, immediate or delayed TBI symptoms may include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Persistent headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Memory loss
- Seizures
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty processing or expressing thoughts
- Speech problems
- Weakness in the extremities
- Depression
- Aggressive outbursts
- General personality changes
Sports and CTE
A traumatic brain injury can have long-term consequences, but many athletes eventually recover and are able to return to sports. Unfortunately, athletes are at risk for suffering numerous traumatic brain injuries. Repetitive head and brain injuries can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, more commonly known as CTE.
This condition, which is especially prevalent among professional football players, causes tau proteins (a substance in the brain cells) to malfunction. This malfunction can lead to harmful changes in thinking, behavior, and mood. Individuals who suffer from CTE are more likely to exhibit violent behavior, and are at risk of harming themselves and others.
Brain Injuries and Personal Injury Claims
When athletes participate in a sport they accept a certain degree of risk. However, that doesn’t mean that other persons or parties cannot be found liable for a brain injury and resulting damages. If safety protocols were ignored, if proper safety equipment was not provided, or if safety equipment was defective, and it resulted in a traumatic brain injury, responsible parties can be held liable for injury damages.
Individuals in the Brooklyn area can work with brain injury lawyers at Zucker & Regev, P.C. to determine if they have grounds to file a personal injury claim. If another person’s negligence led to a brain injury, victims may be due financial compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury while participating in sports, the lawyers at Zucker & Regev, P.C., can examine the details of your injury to determine if another person or party owes you financial compensation for injury damages. To schedule a personal consultation at our Brooklyn law firm, send us a message online, or call (718) 624-1211.