Much has been said about the dangers of concussions in football, particularly in high school where in the past, many students suffered concussions but were not diagnosed. As research about concussions has progressed, it has come to light that girls playing sports are just as susceptible to suffering traumatic brain injuries while playing basketball, soccer, and most importantly, cheerleading.
However, a recent Time.com article highlighted a study finding that girls are more susceptible to having behavioral problems after suffering a concussion. The study chronicled more than 9,000 Canadian adolescents from 7th grade through 12th grade who suffered traumatic brain injuries. They found that girls who suffered these injuries were more likely to binge drink, smoke cigarettes, experience psychological distress and be the target of bullying.
Even more troubling, girls were more likely to report contemplating suicide.
Because of these dangers, having safety plans in place is becoming increasingly important for girls playing sports. Schools have a duty to keep their students safe by enforcing rules, doing diagnoses to discover concussions, and developing protocols to treat head injuries. Failing to do these things could be considered a breach of this duty of care, which could lead to liability.
Indeed, there is still work to be done with regard developing reliable tests, but the prevention aspect is becoming ever so important given the potential for post-concussion development issues.
If you have questions about concussions and the legal implications that follow undiagnosed concussions or improper safety protocols that lead to them, an experienced personal injury attorney can help.