Chicago Accident and Injury Lawyer Blog

The Chicago personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Kroll applaud the Chicago Sun-Times for featuring an article recognizing the dangers of concussions in youth sports and the new concussion rules that govern Illinois schools. With the start of school and fall sports like football and hockey jolting into high gear, parents and school officials must take precautions to protect children and teens from concussions.

The Sun-Times writes:

"According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, children account for 90 percent of hospital emergency room visits for sports-related concussions.
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Concussions — brain injuries from a bump, blow or jolt to the head — can occur in any recreational activity, even sports considered non-contact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And complications can occur in both the short-term and long-term, including headaches, dizziness, mood changes and death."

Illinois is one of the 21 states that have established concussion rules for student athletes. The law includes an number of requirements, including:

- School boards must work with the Illinois High School Association to develop guidelines to educate coaches, student athletes and parents of the nature and risk of concussions.
- Students and parents must sign a concussion information sheet and return it prior to practice or competition.
- School boards must adopt a policy requiring a student athlete with a suspected concussion or head injury to be removed from the practice or game at that time.
- Student athletes removed from play cannot return until after evaluation and written clearance by a health care provider.

The key to preventing concussions and keeping children safe is education. Parents and educators must learn how to direct children to avoid concussion-causing conditions, use preventative equipment, and appreciate the signs of any type of traumatic brain injury -- no matter how insignificant it may appear.