Student Athlete Concussion Policy and Law in Indiana

May 04, 2011

Student Athlete Concussion Policy and Law in Indiana

In Indiana, sports are king. From basketball to auto racing and football, sports are in our blood. Not only are sports great exercise for our kids, they can also help form important social skills, like teamwork and cooperation. But there are risks to this childhood fun.

Every year in the U.S over 135,000 children aged five to 18 are treated in emergency rooms for sports-related concussions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But many concussions go untreated every year, based on an outdated idea that concussions are minor and will disappear in a few days. As a result of this "walk it off mentality," an unknown number of concussions in student athletes go untreated.

Dangers of Concussion in Children

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that impacts the functioning of the brain. It is usually caused by a blow to the head, but can also be caused by violent shaking. Pediatricians believe the brains of children and teens, still developing, are significantly more susceptible to such injury than those of adults.

Concussions can impair memory, judgment, balance and concentration. For athletes who experience a concussion, returning to play too soon may be especially dangerous. Second Impact Syndrome, or suffering a second concussion while still under the effects of a prior concussion can have serious consequences, including death.

Change in Indiana Law

A new law in Indiana requires student athletes to be removed immediately from athletic activities if it is suspected they have sustained a head injury. In order to return to play, injured athletes must be evaluated and cleared by a health care provider trained in head injury assessment.

Indiana Schools

The Indiana High School Athletic Association and National Federation of State High School Associations already have similar policies in place. The new law, however, will give coaches and students more incentive to follow the guidelines.

Another measure aimed at preventing concussion injuries, and used by roughly two-thirds of the schools in Indiana, is Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT). Such tests are used to provide a baseline of an athlete's cognitive abilities and reaction time to later be used for comparison if they experience a head injury.

We hope that these new regulations will result in more timely treatment of concussions, before they can become a serious impediment to student's health. However, if you feel that your child has been injured as the result of a sports-related concussion, call an experienced Indiana personal injury attorney who specializes in helping families like yours, who have been traumatized by concussion and traumatic brain injury, find justice.

Article provided by Doehrman Chamberlain
Visit us at www.tortslaw.com