Research shows that 21% of all brain injuries in children occur during sports activities. However, head injuries are also common in experienced athletes.
Sadly, the sports industry doesn’t take the needed steps to reduce and treat brain injuries. There have been cases where negligence directly caused or further complicated a head injury and destroyed an athlete’s career and quality of life.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, you might be eligible to take legal action. Read on to discover more about the procedure and how a brain injury lawyer can help.
What Are Sports Head Injuries?
Also known as TBIs (traumatic brain injuries), head injuries can occur from a hard push or blow to the body or head.
They can vary in intensity as such:
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
Some TBIs are easily treatable, while others can cause long-term consequences and even death.
Some common types of sports-related head injuries are:
- Concussion
- Brain hematoma
- Contusion
- Skull fracture.
What Is CTE?
CTE, an acronym for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, is a brain condition that progresses gradually. Its development can go unnoticed, even though it can lead to depression, memory loss, anxiety, aggression, and even dementia.
The condition is caused by continuous head blows and concussions. For this reason, it is common among boxers and American football players. However, not many athletes are aware of the signs pointing to CTE.
Sadly, the sports industry still refuses to enforce rules to reduce and manage the condition. So, if you or your loved one have CTE because of negligence, you can take legal action.
Notable Sports Head Injury Legal Cases
There have been many legal cases concerning sports-related brain injuries. At the least, they have contributed to increasing awareness of sports brain injuries and improving the lives of countless athletes.
Below are some of the most notable ones:
- Thousands of former players won a case against the NFL in 2013. They were suing the organization because it didn’t properly inform them of the risk of brain injury.
- In California, two mothers sued Pop Warner Football on the count that the organization contributed to their sons’ suicides, both of whom suffered from CTE.
- In 2017, the estate of Aaron Hernandez, who also ended his life and suffered from CTE, sued the team and the NFL for withholding information about the dangers of sports head injuries.
Steps to Take Following a Sports Head Injury
The best way to secure compensation for a sports brain injury is to follow all the recommended steps.
First, seek immediate medical attention. It also wouldn’t hurt to ask friends and family to help you overcome the trauma. After all, you shouldn’t be alone during such a difficult period.
Second, contact an experienced attorney that specializes in brain injury.
After getting through those first steps, you need to focus on practicalities:
- Gather evidence (witness testimonies, medical bills, first responder and doctor reports, personal accounts, accounts from friends and family, etc.)
- Read more about the civil litigation procedure
- Go through details with your attorney (liability, type of damages, etc.)
- Prepare yourself emotionally and mentally for the process
Consult a Brain Injury Lawyer
If you or your loved one has suffered a sports head injury, contact Haffner Law’s team as soon as possible. Our diligent team of passionate LA attorneys live to bring our clients the justice they deserve.
We specialize in personal injury, vehicle accidents, wrongful death, business litigation, property damage, and bad faith insurance. With our empathic and aggressive legal approach, you can count on Haffner Law to secure proper compensation for your sports-related head injury!
