Ohio Student-Athlete Concussion Bill Becomes Law

January 25, 2013 (Press-News.org) Concussions can cause serious injury to student-athletes, and the risk increases exponentially when players are left in the game after exhibiting the symptoms of a concussion. A recent increase in public awareness, as well as an acknowledgement of the consequences of ignoring such serious head injuries, has lead to a push to address the issue. In response, the Ohio recently passed a new law that will have lasting effects on student-athletes.

What the law means for student-athletes

Under the new law, coaches of school teams would be required to keep anyone who displays signs of a concussion or other brain injury out of play for at least 24 hours following the injury. The law would also require athletes to obtain a physician's approval prior to returning to participating in sporting events. Were the governor to sign this bill into law, it would likely have implications for the Spring 2013 school sports season.

Under the new law, young student-athletes will have to be immediately removed from a game if they are exhibiting concussion symptoms. That way, student-athletes at risk of serious injury will find their way to the doctor and be kept out of a situation where impaired reasoning, cognitive function and motor skills could result in a more serious injury or even death. The passage of the law may also result in increased liability for schools and coaches, thereby creating a legal remedy for victims.

The importance of a post-injury diagnosis

A brain injury can seriously affect the motor skills and cognitive functions of the victim, and the effects of a brain injury can actually get worse over time. Therefore, it is important to get a post-injury diagnosis as soon as possible so that the nature of the problem can be effectively treated. Post-injury diagnosis is also crucial to any subsequent legal action that might be taken. A post-injury diagnosis can be extremely helpful to the victim. The diagnosis can produce evidence of the damage caused to the victim in a reliable way.

Contact an attorney

Situations like these will often require the assistance of a personal injury attorney that understands the relevant law and the issues involved. If the injury in question was caused by the negligence of another, victims may be entitled to compensation. Particularly after the passage of the student-athlete concussion law, victims should consult an experienced Columbus personal injury attorney to address the issues relating to the new legislation.

Article provided by Stein, Chapin & Associates, LLC
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