Brain Injury Awareness Month Highlights Dangers for Athletes

The month of March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, which was created to increase awareness of the causes and consequences of brain injury and emphasize the need for prevention. In addition, this important awareness month underlines the need for brain injury research, education, and advocacy on behalf of those who are currently living with a brain injury. This year, in honor of Brain Injury Awareness Month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging parents, coaches, school professionals, trainers, and athletes to take action to reduce the risk of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) for those who participate in sports.

The CDC estimates that 3.8 million sports and recreation-related concussions occur in the U.S. annually, and emergency rooms treat approximately 170,000 sports and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries among children each year. The latter figure is on the rise, with the number of these types of treated injuries increasing 60 percent over the last ten years among children and adolescents. The most common activities involved were bicycling, basketball, soccer, football, and various playground activities.

Though this increase may be a result of the growing public awareness of TBIs and the need for medical attention if one is suspected, the CDC still wants to continue to increase the public’s knowledge about this life-altering injury. The organization is developing guidance for healthcare professionals on the diagnosing and treatment of mild TBI in children, and information for families, athletes, and athletic professionals on how to properly prevent, recognize, and respond to concussions is available by visiting http://www.cdc.gov/concussion.

A brain injury can permanently impact the life of a victim and can result in costly medical care and rehabilitation. Therefore, if the brain injury was caused due to the negligence of another person, it is crucial a brain injury victim and his or her family understand their legal right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party. The brain injury lawyers in Tennessee with Massey & Associates, P.C. have the knowledge and experience to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Please call (423) 697-4529 for a complimentary consultation.