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Back in the day, a doctor might have told you to lie in a dark room for 24 hours while you recover from a concussion. Another time, a physician might have advised you not to let the person fall asleep – continually waking them while they get out of the watch period.
Today, the rules for how you care for a concussion have certainly changed, especially in sports.
Unfortunately, the rules for sports and how they handle injured players have not changed as much as they should, and the number of players developing degenerative brain disorders or other long-term complications have only further proven such.
However, the new detection and treatment rules released by the U.S. government might reduce the number of repetitive injuries, especially in children.
In September, reports were issued that focused on the latest guidelines for child concussions, including what tests should be run, what might be unnecessary, and when to worry.
Right now, the CDC recommends against using x-rays and blood tests to diagnose brain trauma, and they also tell parents to be on the lookout for more worrisome symptoms. If a child displays any of the more serious symptoms, then CT imaging and in-depth MRI studies may be necessary to rule out long-term damage.
The CDC’s guidelines for concussions (like those from sports, falls, and accidents) involve physical and mental rest, including staying out of school and sports immediately following a concussion. Gradually, a child might be reintroduced into those activities as the brain heals.
Children should be watched for any severe signs, such as lack of balance, chronic headaches, vomiting, or lethargy.
Not even ten years ago, field concussions in sports were considered a “shake it off” type of thing. In fact, if the player did not lose consciousness, coaches hustled them back out on the field, assuming that they were fine.
Today, research and medical advancements has taught us better. Now, coaches and parents are aware that they cannot tell a child just to shake it off, and any severe trauma to the head requires medical attention – not returning to the field and shaking it off.
Also, more coaches are going through concussion protocol training. Even volunteer sports coaches in local leagues are being required to undergo the training. The American Academy of Neurology, a trusted resource for sports concussion advice, has created resources for parents of children in sports and coaches so that they can better identify a potential concussion and respond appropriately.
The most important thing for parents and coaches to realize is that one child’s concussion symptoms might vary from the next; therefore, they cannot compare and assume that it is the basis for diagnosing.
Also, coaches and parents need to be aware that sub-concussive events still require monitoring and rest. These do not result in a concussion, but can create long-term effects if the child does not receive proper rest and suffers from a true concussive event shortly after.
Whether it is an adult, child, teen, or a professional hockey player, the recommendations for treatment have certainly changed. While in-depth testing is not required to diagnose a concussion, and often a simple neuro examination is more than enough to diagnose, the treatment remains strict, including the most critical treatment: rest.
Doctors will tell patients to take time off from physical and mental activities, including school, work, and sports. They cannot return to these activities until the symptoms start to go away, and a typical concussive event can last six to ten days – depending on severity. Most people feel better within a week, especially if they follow their doctors’ orders.
Other advice used today for treating a concussion:
After a few days of brain and physical rest, a person can usually return to normal activities – but at a slow pace.
Cognitive activities can be resumed once the symptoms have dissipated. However, a person should do so cautiously and consider the following tips:
When it comes time to resume physical activities, the protocol is as follows:
If you or a loved one suffered from severe head trauma due to someone’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation under the law. Concussions in sports where coaches and leagues fail to protect players, or head trauma resulting from premises liability, all fall under negligence. When someone is negligent, serious injuries can occur and a victim should not have to shoulder the financial burden.
The attorneys at Berkowitz Hanna understand the complexities of these types of cases, and we are here to help you secure the compensation you deserve so that you can restore your financial health. We seek compensation for our clients to cover medical costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering as a result of the injury.
Before assuming you have a case or attempting to file a claim yourself, speak with an attorney.
An attorney serves as your advocate. They understand the law and the restraints Connecticut statutes place on cases like these. They not only serve as your guide through the procedures, but also aggressively fight for your right to compensation.
When you are injured or you are taking care of a family member who is injured, you want to focus on recovery. Let an attorney handle the paperwork, insurance companies, and negotiations.
To explore your options, contact Berkowitz Hanna and schedule a no-obligation case evaluation. Call or contact us online to get started.
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