Whether Football Helmets Are Bad Or Not, Players Deserve To Be Informed Says Austin Injury Lawyer

Austin, TX (Law Firm Newswire) April 1, 2014 – Contact sports participants need to be informed about the serious nature of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

“The latest research shows that current football helmets are not properly protecting players when they are hit on the side of the head. Hits there may also cause brain swelling and concussion,” adds Brooks Schuelke, a traumatic brain injury lawyer in Austin with the firm Perlmutter & Schuelke, LLP.

The ten helmets used for testing by researchers were only capable of reducing the likelihood of TBI by approximately 20 percent, with the most effective one reducing the risk by roughly 30 percent. These figures raise the bar for increased scrutiny and a better helmet to prevent any further concussions and long-term TBI issues. Furthermore, most tests solely focus on the impact that breaks a skull, but do not take into consideration the types of impacts that may lead to TBI.

“Leading with the head while playing a game such as football or soccer, is one of the worst things a player can do. If players realized their helmets may only offer them as little as 30 percent concussion protection, it could change the way the game is played, which may be a good thing,” Schuelke adds.

Many professional sports leagues have made changes to how they treat head injuries. However, not much has been done to enhance head protection. By far, youth football is one of the deadliest sports on record, with 12 percent of deaths being caused by neck or head injuries, also referred to as rotational injuries, involving players put right back into the game.

“The fact is when a player’s head is hit, it twists and comes to a sudden stop. Inside the skull, the brain is moving around and hitting the inside of the brain pan, leading to subdural hematomas, and other life-threatening injuries,” says Schuelke.

Parents of young football players need to be aware of the risks of playing contact sports, know as much as they can about the helmets being used, be informed of the types of injuries possible with ineffective head gear and be prepared to insist their children be kept out of a game if it appears they have a concussion.

“If your child has sustained a significant head injury as the result of negligently being put back into play after a hard hit to the head, or has not received enough information about the risks of playing, you may want to seek legal counsel and find out what your rights are and how to file an injury lawsuit,” remarked Schuelke.

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