What is a Concussion?
A concussion is, “a jarring of the brain substance, by a fall, blow, or other external injury, without laceration of its tissue, or with only microscopical laceration.” (Black’s Law Dictionary 364. 4th Ed. Rev. 1968)
What is a Concussion?
Concussions are caused by violent blows or jolts to the head, and result in altered brain function. Concussions are serious injuries, and it is important to recognize the symptoms of a concussion, like loss of consciousness, nausea, dizziness, disorientation, headaches, and other medical issues. Multiple concussions can be life-threatening.
A concussion can have great legal ramifications. It is cited as a term in legal definitions, and included in cases such as Mathews v. Hayne as evidence of severe injuries in accidents. Concussions are specifically important in cases involving personal injury claims or incidents where negligence is alleged. They can lead to claims for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering, and sometimes other damages depending on the circumstances of the injury. Medical records of concussions may serve as evidence.
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Pennsylvania Student Athletes Offered Protection Under Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Bill
Earlier this month we reported on the safety ranking of Pennsylvania in respect to safety initiatives states take to prevent injuries and death among their residents. Pennsylvania was recognized for having a strong youth sports concussion safety law. Now, Governor Tom Corbett has signed a new law that will offer additional protection to young athletes – an act establishing standards for preventing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and death in student athletes.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, SCA is the abrupt and unexpected loss of heart function, and can cause death if not treated within minutes. SCA is attributed to more than 2,000 deaths in the United States each year. The New York Times reports that while sedentary youths are susceptible to SCA, the risk is nearly three times higher in competitive athletes. In addition, a high school student dies of cardiac arrest as often as every three days. […]
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PA ranked 30th in U.S. for injury deaths
Researchers set out to determine which U.S. states are the safest. In a study released last month, each state was ranked by 10 key indicators of steps states can take to prevent injuries, including those caused by accidents and violence, to their residents. Pennsylvania received a score of 5 out of 10, leaving the state plenty of room for improvement.
The study, entitled “The Facts Hurt: A State-By-State Injury Prevention Policy Report,” by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), looked at each state, ranking them on a 10 to 0 scale, with states receiving one point for each of 10 policies that could improve safety. Two states, California and New York, scored nine out of the possible 10 points, and had the best overall ratings. Montana and Ohio both scored the worst overall with just 2 points each. […]
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