In preliminary studies done during 2012, it appears that college football concussion rates at three Division 1 college football programs doubled during the 2012 football season since new NCAA concussion rules were put in place in 2010. One explanation could be the possibility that prior to these new rules, concussion symptoms were under recognized due to a lack of knowledge regarding the potential for serious brain injuries resulting from concussions. These risks increase with each concussion suffered by a football player. In far too many cases, these injuries have been fatal.
New Rules for Concussions Suffered in College Football
The new rules from the April 2010 National Collegiate Athletic Association guidelines include:
- Athletes are to be informed of concussion symptoms at the start of each season.
- Athletes must sign a statement agreeing to report concussion-related symptoms to medical staff.
- Athletes who have a concussion must be removed from the sport for at least one day.
- Athletes cannot return to play until a team doctor clears them to participate once symptoms have been resolved.
Prior to the April 2010 guidelines, many coaches scoffed at the idea that a concussion could be a serious injury, and in many instances penalized their football players for what they viewed as “pretending” to be sick in order to get out of practice drills. Now that medical evidence is showing the potential risks associated with this type of injury, more coaches seem to take it seriously.
Help from a Portland Personal Injury Lawyer
If you are a college football player, or the parent of a college football player with concerns about concussion injuries, you need to contact Portland personal injury lawyers at Savage Law Firm today for a free consultation.
