The NFL has been in the spotlight the past few years for several things, but the hottest topic lately is the concern over football-related concussions and brain injuries.
And the worry isn’t only at the professional level.
Concussions from football and other contact sports have become more common in the past decade among high school students, and they are quickly becoming a big point of concern among parents and coaches.
According to the CDC, in the past 10 years, the number of reported concussions has doubled.
Why are concussions so alarming? The more concussions a person sustains, the more likely they’ll suffer from some type of lasting brain damage or disease. Several deaths among retired NFL players have been linked to a degenerative brain disease called CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy).
As of right now, the only way to officially diagnose CTE is by analyzing a brain post-mortem, but it’s important to know the symptoms to watch for:
- Loss of memory
- Aggressive behavior
- Impulsivity
- Difficulty making clear decisions
- Depression
If you’re concerned about head injuries that your child or family member has incurred from being involved in a contact sport, it’s important to talk to a professional personal injury lawyer about what kind of legal action you can take.