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Let's start with the good news.
Since 1980, the number of brain injury deaths that stem from automobile accidents has fallen by 40%, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The bad news: During a much shorter time period – 2001 to 2009 – traumatic brain injuries in people under the age of 19 caused by sports rose 62%, the CDC reported.
Everyone knows that a car accident can be dangerous in a number of ways. There is little awareness left to grow on that front. But not everyone knows that playing sports – even at youth levels – can cause the same sort of injuries. (Even the foot-based game of soccer can damage the brain, we have learned.)
The facts are not here to scare, but instead to educate.
No Surprise
It should not be surprising that our youth are suffering brain injuries from sports. If the pros suffer the same injuries, it only stands to reason that our youth will as well.
The study, however, reveals some scary facts about the specific causes of brain injuries in our youngest children.
The recent CDC study found that the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries in children 9 or younger comes on the playground or on a bicycle. These are activities parents involve their children in without a second thought. What one of us didn't grow up learning to ride a bicycle?
In the 10-19 age bracket, the most common causes among males were football and bicycling. Among females of this age range, they were softball, basketball and biking.
What Does This Mean?
This doesn’t mean you should not teach your child to ride a bicycle. It doesn’t mean you should not take your child to a playground. In fact, the CDC report notes one very positive thing – the increased number of incidents may be due to increased awareness. What it all means is that you need to be aware and need to know what to do if something happens.
Who We Are
At the Brain Injury Law Center, we represent the victims of brain injuries and help them seek justice in a court of law. We have developed a national reputation for doing this. If you or a loved one has been injured in a brain injury due to the fault of another person, business or any other entity, please contact us today.
