For over 40 Years I have represented injured victims and their families for closed head injuries, broken bones, and soft tissue claims resulting from motor vehicle accidents. But what concerns me, are the injuries that occur that could be prevented. As your children are heading back into school and jumping feet first into their various sports, it is important to identify injuries and do what you can to prevent them. Over a million and a half children a year suffer from serious sports related injuries. Children as young as 8-years old are experiencing injuries such as ACL tears!
The most common injuries for young athletes are muscle strains/sprains/tears, abrasions, broken bones, skin injuries, and lacerations. As well as far more serious injuries such as concussions (which are caused by a direct or indirect blow to the head that may cause a loss of consciousness, also known as traumatic brain injuries) and heat exhaustion.
Symptoms of a Concussion
- Headache
- Dizziness or “seeing stars”
- Confussion or feeling as if in a fog
- Nausea
- Appearing Dazed
- Ringing in the ears
- Slurred Speech
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Fainting
- Confusion
- Vomitting
If you notice any of these symptoms it is vital that your child be checked out immediately.
There are a few guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and John Hopkins Medicine:
- Get a pre-season physical for your child to see if they are fit enough to play their sport.
- Make sure your child is doing a proper warm-up prior to practice or a game. A proper warm-up can reduce injury by 47%.
- Stress the importance of staying hydrated through practice and games. It is vital in preventing heat exhaustion, which can be serious and life-threatening.
- Make sure your children are getting enough rest. A lack of sleep and muscle fatigue can lead to serious and permanent injury.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children take off at least one day per week and one month per year from training to allow their bodies to recover.
- Children that cross-train for multiple sports have far fewer injuries as they are putting less strain on one type of muscle or joint.
- Provide a healthy-well balanced diet for your children. It is important to monitor your child’s eating habits especially when they are competing in a sport like wrestling that places an importance on a particular weight.
- Make sure your child has the proper safety equipment
- Most importantly recognize injury and get help immediately. A child that “plays through the pain” can end up with a far worse injury.
I wish all of your children a safe and healthy school year. And remember, if you or a loved one is injured in an accident, call me, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay! ®
Author: Tim Misny | For more than 40 Years, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving “Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities.” You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 800-556-4769.
