A concussion is a form of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), which is caused when the brain as the result of impact or a whiplash type movement bangs into the skull. In order to increase parent and student athlete knowledge about concussion risk and help protect student athletes from sustaining brain injuries from repeated concussions, the Virginia legislature enacted a statutory provision that mandates concussion education for student athletes and parents before tryouts for sports; Virginia Code 22.1-271.5 – Policies on concussions in student-athletes.
Students and parents must complete separate programs and sign a statement acknowledging receipt of information on the short- and long-term effects of concussions on athletes’ health.
In addition to education, the statute provides safety precautions for student athletes. If a student athlete is suspected of sustaining a concussion or brain injury during a practice or a game, the coaches or adults in charge of the game or practice should remove the student from the activity and he or she should not be returned to play the same day or until the student is cleared by a licensed health care provider to return to play. We are seeing this on a daily basis with our professional athletes such as players in the NFL. Virginia is seeking to make sure, that our kids, who are more fragile, don’t take any greater risk. Numerous other states have passed or are reviewing such legislation.
If your child has sustained injury from concussions during participation in sports, please call 301-251-1286 today or contact the Law Offices of Stuart L. Plotnick, LLC for your consultation with an experienced Virginia brain injury lawyer.