A head injury is one of the most serious types of personal injury that an individual can sustain. Unfortunately, head injuries are common among athletes who play many different sports, especially contact sports. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) reports that an estimated 21 percent of children or young adults who suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) do so due to sports or other recreational activities. Head injuries are particularly common in football, hockey, boxing, cycling, and soccer. The following are some examples of head injuries commonly sustained by athletes.
Traumatic Brain Injury
A TBI is the most common head injury for athletes and can range from a relatively mild concussion to severe brain damage that can cause coma and long-lasting effects. Traumatic brain injury can occur due to direct trauma to the head or even due to a jolt of the brain inside the skull. When the brain hits the skull, the tissue can be damaged and a TBI may be diagnosed. TBIs can have many serious symptoms including disruptions in cognitive, physical, or behavioral functioning.
Skull Fracture
In some situations, a blow to the head can cause a fracture in the bone of the skull. The severity of the fracture often depends on the type of fracture that occurs, which can include the following:
- Lineal — A straight line cracked in the skull with generally few complications;
- Compound — Usually involves a splintered bone as well as damage to the skin and pieces of the bone can damage the brain tissue;
- Depressed — A depression caused in a crushing-type break in the skull bone.
Contusion
A contusion is another term for a bruise and these can be very serious if you receive one on your brain. Brain contusions can cause significant swelling of the brain inside the skull, which can dangerously increase cranial pressure. In some cases involving contusions, medical professionals may have to remove a section of the skull to allow for swelling and may insert an intracranial pressure monitor.
Hematoma
Hematoma is the term for bleeding on the brain, which can always significantly increase pressure inside the skull. Doctors may have to surgically remove a blood clot in the case of a hematoma.
There are also many complications that can accompany head injuries in athletes. For example, repeated brain injuries can result in serious conditions including early onset Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, depression, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Consult With An Experienced Seattle Brain Injury Attorney Today
Athletes who have sustained serious head injuries due to negligence should not delay in discussing their rights with a brain injury law firm. Attorney Stephen Hornbuckle has provided brain injury help in Seattle for many individuals hurt in sports or in preventable accidents and our team understands the complex nature of TBI and other head injuries. We know the grave effect that head injuries can have on your life and will strive to help you recover for your losses, so please call The Hornbuckle Firm for a free consultation at (425) 679-0742 today.
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Bellevue, Washington 98007
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