New York residents are known to be passionate, almost zealous, in their support for their sports teams in basketball, baseball, football, among other sports. Similarly, people who play professionally or even recreationally are also known to be very enthusiastic. While the enthusiasm results in a more intense game, the same fervor may also lead to head trauma.
Concussions are a common head injury in sports. Its prevalence may cause many athletes not to take the injury seriously. However, a new study sheds light on concussions: the brain damage can last for decades.
In the latest study, athletes who sustained head trauma as far back as 30 years ago were tested and results showed symptoms like those of early Parkinson’s disease. Likewise, additional tests evidenced a thinning of the brain’s cortex, specifically in the same area commonly affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Meanwhile, studies conducted on young athletes concluded that their brain waves were still not normal for two years after injury. The new study conveys that damage to the brain can start at a young age. One physician even commented that he would tell his children to refrain from using their heads to hit the ball when playing soccer – a move referred to as “heading.”
Lately, even the NFL has had to deal with the issue of player safety. However, in situations where safety is of the utmost concern, a legal approach could provide athletes, and even people who play for recreation, more recourse if they sustain head injuries.
The expertise of a legal professional can be beneficial in determining if there was any form of negligence by another party that may have led to a brain injury. When negligence is a factor, a legal professional can aid in obtaining compensation for long-term care, medical expenses and other damages.
Source: Mocnyc.com, “New Research Shows Concussions Have Long Term Effects,” Feb. 22, 2013