Date: February 20, 2012By: Atlanta Brain Injury Lawyers

Lawmakers in Georgia are considering testimony from former Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant and others in support of House Bill 673, which is concussion legislation for youth football players. According to the Washington Post, the law, pushed by the NFL and NCAA, requires any youth player with a possible concussion to be removed from a game or practice, and restricts the athlete from competing until being cleared by a licensed health care professional trained in concussion evaluation and management. Estimates by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other organizations hypothesize that between 1.5 and 3.8 million people suffer a sports-related traumatic brain injury each year. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), more children are visiting the emergency room with traumatic brain injuries, including concussions. According to a CDC report, the number of children, aged 18 and younger, reporting serious head trauma has increased 62% over the last decade. Most cases of traumatic brain injuries occur in young men, particularly those that play football or other high-impact sports. In 2001, the number of traumatic brain injuries reported stood at approximately 153,000, while this number was listed at almost 249,000 in 2009.

Research has shown that concussions and other relatively minor injuries can lead to far more serious problems like depression, decreased mental capabilities, loss of memory, degenerative brain disease, sleeplessness, post-concussion syndrome, persistent headaches, second-impact syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, and many other devastating injuries. 

Brain injuries like second impact syndrome can have a significant effect on their victims. Many severe traumatic brain injury patients need long-term rehabilitation and care, and may not be able to return to work or perform certain functions. Even those with mild head trauma often notice a significant impact on their performance at work and at home. If you or a loved one has experienced a brain injury or trauma as a result of another’s negligence, contact a dedicated Atlanta brain injury attorney to find out if you can seek compensation for lost wages, loss of earning capacity, current and future medical bills, as well as pain and suffering. 

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Keywords: concussion law, youth concussion law