Sports-Related Concussions by the Numbers

As kids all over Nebraska return to school, parents are looking for ways to keep them safe this school year. Student-athletes are at increased risk for concussions and other traumatic brain injuries on the field. While many schools, coaches, and trainers are becoming more informed about concussion, there is much work to be done, as these numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest:

• Over 173,000 children and teenagers are treated in emergency rooms each year for sports-related concussions and other injuries.
• Visits to the ER for children and teenagers who suffered a head injury while playing sports have increased 60 percent over the past decade.
• Nine percent of all high school sports injuries are traumatic brain injuries.
• The two sports with the highest risk of concussion are football, where over 55,000 concussions occur nationwide each year, and girls' soccer, where over 29,000 concussions occur each year.
• Approximately 31 percent of student-athlete concussions occur in recreational facilities, while 20 percent occur in school facilities and during school-sponsored sporting events.
• While children under nine are more likely to suffer a concussion while bicycling or playing, children ages 10-19 were more likely to suffer a concussion while playing sports.
• Receiving a second concussion before a first concussion has completely healed nearly doubles the chance of long-term brain damage and learning problems.

Parents can learn more about sports-related concussions from the CDC or other reputable sources. If your child is injured this school year, don't hesitate to talk to an experienced Omaha traumatic brain injury lawyer who can help you protect your child's legal rights.