Young Athletes: Warning Signs of a Concussion

The start of school also means the start of the school sports season. And the start of the sports season, especially football, also brings up discussions of concussions. Head and brain injuries have deservedly stirred much concern as more research shows results that are raising concern and setting off alarms. Although most of the attention is focused on football, other sports such as soccer, lacrosse and hockey, increase the risk of concussions as well. Moreover, these life altering risks do not only apply to professionals, but also to college, high school and youth athletes as well.

Unfortunately, while most parents and caregivers have been exposed to all of the research, they are seldom aware of the important facts about concussions, the symptoms to look for, and what to do if their child has a concussion.

The Sports That Generate the Most Concerns

As expected, football tops the list of sports that generate the most concern about concussions and other head injuries. In fact, football accounts for 47 percent of all sports-related concussions. The second and third are hockey and soccer, respectively. While soccer may seem like a safe sport, collisions between the players and the heading of the ball can result in serious head injuries, particularly concussions.

Signs and Symptoms of an Athlete Concussion

The most important thing to be aware of is that an athlete does not need to be knocked unconscious to suffer a concussion. As such, an athlete can suffer a concussion or some other type of head injury with only a hit of the ball to the head. It should be noted that the majority of concussions occur during practice.

According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms a concussion include:

• Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
• Temporary loss of consciousness
• Confusion or feeling as if in a fog
• Amnesia surrounding the traumatic event
• Dizziness or “seeing stars”
• Ringing in the ears
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Delayed response to questions
• Appearing dazed
• Fatigue

Concussions can be difficult to diagnose, especially in younger athletes who are not able to explain what they are feeling or experiencing. Therefore, it is important for parents and caregivers to be on a constant watch for a potential concussion.

We Can Help You If You Are Injured

When you or a loved one is injured in an accident, you need to hire an experienced New York personal injury attorney to protect your legal rights. The attorneys at Gersowitz, Libo & Korek P.C. have more than 40 years of experience and knowledge to aggressively fight for your rights and get you the full extent of monetary compensation that you deserve.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our New York personal injury attorneys, please call 1-800-529-9997.