A current study at the University of Oxford is investigating why some children have worse outcomes than others after suffering a head injury during sport.
Over the next two years, the study hopes to scan 120 volunteers, between 11 and 18, who regularly take part in sport. The study also aims to investigate the long-term effects of a head injury, and its link with dementia.
Each year, 1.4 million people attend emergency departments with a head injury, and between 33% and 50% of those are children under the age of 15. It is estimated that up to 30% of children who have suffered a mild traumatic brain injury go on to experience medium- or long-term symptoms.
What is a traumatic brain injury (“TBI”)?
Although not all head injuries are the same, Headway UK advises that common effects include:
- Behavioural effects: post-traumatic amnesia, disinhibition, impulsiveness, irritability and aggression, perseveration, egocentricity, and personality changes;
- Cognitive effects: attention and concentration, problems with making decisions, memory, executive dysfunction, difficulties processing information, problems with motivation, language, reasoning, and insight, and mental capacity issues;
- Communication effects: language impairment and speech difficulties;
- Emotional effects: depression, anxiety, frustration and anger, feelings of loss, PTSD, emotional liability, stress, and issues with empathy;
- Physical effects: mobility and movement, weakness or paralysis, balance and dizziness, sensory impairment, headaches, epilepsy, sexual dysfunction, and continence issues;
- Other effects: fatigue and hormonal imbalances.
TBI’s are categorised according to how serious they are; a brief period of unconsciousness resulting from banging your head while getting in the car or slipping over in the street is classed as a minor injury. Approximately 95% of head injuries fall into this category. Then there is a moderate head injury, defined as a loss of consciousness for between 15 minutes – 6 hours, or a period of post-traumatic amnesia of up to 24 hours. Most people who have suffered a moderate head injury are likely to suffer from some residual symptoms. Lastly, there is a severe head injury where the patient has been unconscious for over 6 hours or has suffered post-traumatic amnesia for over 24 hours. Hospitalisation and rehabilitation are likely, and depending on the length of the period of unconsciousness, these patients are more likely to have serious physical deficits.
Legal implications and duty of care
From a legal standpoint, sports organisations, coaches, and schools have a duty of care to young athletes. This means taking reasonable steps to minimise risks, including:
- Enforcing strict concussion protocols and return-to-play guidelines
- Educating coaches, parents, and players about the symptoms and dangers of brain injuries
- Providing appropriate protective equipment designed to reduce impact
For example, the Football Association has guidelines for children in football; the immediate removal from play for anyone who is suspected of having a concussion, a staged return to play, and a ban on ‘headers’ for children under the age of 12.
Failure to implement proper safeguards can result in negligence claims, particularly when an athlete suffers lasting damage due to inadequate medical assessment or pressure to return to play too soon.
Protecting young athletes: The role of guidance
Although there is no legislation protecting players, there is UK-wide guidance to help people identify, manage, and prevent concussion in sports. Aimed at players, coaches, parents, schools, national governing bodies, and sports administrators, the ‘If in doubt, sit them out’ guidance states that no-one should return to sport within 24 hours after a suspected concussion. Moreover, there is step-by-step guidance for a safe return to work, education, exercise, and sport to promote recovery.
You can read more about the guidance here.
Seeking legal support
If you or someone you know has suffered a sports-related head injury, legal advice can be invaluable to explore whether there is a claim for compensation to be made to cover damages for the injury and recovery of medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and any future care.
Seeking additional support
For those who have suffered a head injury, there are various charities to help, whether you are the one with the head injury, or a family member. In the East Midlands, there are independent Headway charities in Derby, Nottingham and Leicester. If you are outside of the East Midlands, you can find your local group or branch here:– Find your local branch.
How can we help?
Holly-Louise Batey is a Paralegal in our Personal Injury team, which is ranked in Tier One by the independently research publication, The Legal 500.
If you have any questions in relation to the topics discussed in this article, please contact Holly or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.
Contact us