Over the past several years, there have been several studies done regarding the safety of athletes during contact sports, especially football. While most of the focus has been on the lasting effects of concussions on professional football players, medical professionals are also concerned about the cumulative effects of head injuries on younger players. One Tennessee family is now experiencing the pain of watching their son fight to recover after suffering a critical personal injury during a college football game.
The 20-year-old had played two previous seasons with another college team before transferring to Tennessee State University. During the recent game, the linebacker was involved in about five tackles and a sack of the opposing quarterback. According to the parents and video footage, none of the hits appeared to be excessively forceful.
During the first half of the game, he complained of a headache. As the team was returning to the locker room for halftime break, the player collapsed. Team officials say he was administered oxygen before being transported to a local hospital. Once there, surgeons performed emergency surgery to address a serious though undisclosed head injury.
The young man remains in critical condition though his family is understandably hopeful he will recover, which is a more promising outcome than for another family who lost their son a few days after suffering an injury during a high school football game. Whether as a result of a car accident or through contact sports, head injuries are a devastating blow to families. In many circumstances families may have more questions than answers. In some cases, evidence may suggest that negligence on the part of another party caused or significantly contributed to the injury. A Tennessee personal injury attorney could help assess the circumstances surrounding the injury and determine whether a civil suit for monetary damages is warranted.
