Traumatic brain injuries have come to the forefront of discussion in the United States over the past two years. This is in large part due to the tragic stories about former NFL players that have been highlighted on sports and news stations. Those who suffer from a traumatic brain injury may have lasting effects that can plague them for the rest of their lives.
Over the last week, there have been three deaths associated with traumatic brain injuries for young men who played high school football. High schools in Alabama, North Carolina, and New York are now mourning the loss of a student and teammate after these tragedies struck.
The most recent death was this past Wednesday night during a game at a school about an hour outside of New York City. The 16-year-old ran into another player and then collapsed on the field moments later. He was rushed to a local hospital where he eventually died in the ICU after undergoing surgery. Records show that he successfully passed his physical just a few months ago.
With all the big games that go on throughout the autumn months in western Pennsylvania and Ohio, schools are talking about how they can better protect their student-athletes. At Western Reserve High School, they have decided to take a proactive approach to protecting its players from TBI by bolstering the protection on the helmets they are already using.
The school has been closely working with a local chiropractor who recently designed a helmet component called a "Shockstrip." The chiropractor says that his design better absorbs impacts that helmets alone. So far, there have been only three concussions at the middle school level and zero for high school players.
A traumatic brain injury doesn't have to happen on the football field. Many of them take place during accidents on the job and in automobile accidents. If you think you are suffering from a traumatic brain injury, call our personal injury attorneys at Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. for a free consultation at 800-777-4081.
Source: WKBN, "Western Reserve sees results with helmet protection" 2 October 2014