Connecticut parents often encourage their children to participate in sports and extracurricular activities, which typically teach them important values such as teamwork and discipline. Unfortunately, participation in some sports can also put children at risk of brain injuries and even heart problems.
Although contact sports such as football, lacrosse, and ice hockey can be dangerous for adult athletes, young athletes are even more susceptible to long-term brain damage. Thankfully, Connecticut lawmakers took action in 2010 to prevent student-athlete injuries, but some people argue that the state’s laws need to go even further to protect young people from sports-related head injuries. Since Connecticut enacted the original legislation in 2010, several other states have passed concussion prevention bills of their own.
If state lawmakers pass a more stringent concussion prevention law, some coaches may be forced to limit practice times to just 90 minutes each week. Legislators are also working to provide both parents and youth athletes with more information about injury prevention and treatment. If the proposed bill is passed, youth sports leaders will likely have to report sports-related injuries to the state. The number of young Connecticut athletes that have died or suffered a serious injury while they were playing sports is unknown.
People who have suffered a traumatic brain injury often need long-term care, which is usually costly for the victim’s family members. Fortunately, victims and their family members may be able to receive compensation to cover their medical expenses. People in these circumstances may want to talk to an attorney as soon as possible.
Source: SF Gate, “Conn. lawmakers address student-athlete injuries,” Susan Haigh, Feb. 27, 2014
