For many people in Connecticut, competitive sports often keep them in excellent physical, mental, and emotional health. However, some popular sports also put people at risk of suffering from a traumatic brain injury.
People who participate in mixed martial arts, a competitive sport that has been growing in popularity at all levels, often sustain repeated blows to the head. In some cases, the person who loses a match is struck repeatedly to the head during the last 30 seconds of the match. In fact, recent research from the American Journal of Sports Medicine has proven that mixed martial arts cause significantly more serious injuries than boxing, football, and hockey. The prevalence of head injuries in connection with mixed martial arts has prompted some to call for more safety regulations, such as requiring participants to wear head protection and providing referees with training to help them recognize when a player is unable to defend himself.
One of the sport’s leading advocates, the UFC, alleges that after 20 years, regulations for mixed martial arts are now tougher than ever. For instance, after a competitor causes a concussion, he is suspended; however, the length of these suspensions is unknown. Also, the UFC argued that because competitors don’t wear large, heavy boxing gloves, they’re less susceptible to injuries.
People who are suffering from a serious brain injury sometimes require constant care, which places a tremendous burden on their loved ones. In addition to the emotional costs, there are usually some other costs involved, including medical and long-term care expenses. Fortunately, personal injury attorneys are often able to help victims of traumatic brain injury and their families.
Source: CT Post, “Study: MMA brain injury risk higher than boxing,” Michael Virtanen, March 28, 2014
