Kids and Roughhousing
by Kevin Henderson, Partner, Oatley Vigmond
Our understanding of concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries continues to grow. Perhaps one of the most important discoveries in recent years is that concussions can be caused not only by direct blows to the head, but also anything that causes the brain to move within the skull, including whiplash type injuries.
This new information has changed the way that children’s sports are played. Body contact is more restricted than ever and safety equipment continues to improve. Referees, coaches, and volunteers are taught to identify the signs of concussions.
While sports leagues and schools are improving in their handling of concussions, there has been little done about the risks of children sustaining head injuries during horseplay. In these situations, helmets, defined rules, and safety equipment are often absent, leading to unpredictable and unorthodox body contact and falls.
It is important for parents and child care professionals to understand the signs of a concussion so that they can take necessary precautions and seek appropriate treatment. If your child complains of any of the following symptoms they may have suffered a concussion:
· Headaches;
· Dizziness;
· Poor vision;
· Sleepiness; or
· Seeing stars or light
Unfortunately, many children are not at a point in their development where they can accurately report their symptoms. If this is the case, there are several objective symptoms that may suggest that your child has suffered a concussion:
· Inability to concentrate;
· Poor coordination or balance;
· Slow to answer questions or follow directions;
· Blank stare or glassy eyes;
· Easily distracted; or
· Slurred speech
Early detection of a concussion is important in getting appropriate treatment and avoiding further injury. If you believe that your child may have suffered a concussion, it is important to contact medical assistance immediately.
Oatley Vigmond is a proud member of the Personal Injury Alliance (PIA Law).
PIA Law was formed more than a decade ago by three of Canada’s leading personal injury law firms — Oatley Vigmond, McLeish Orlando and Thomson Rogers — with the goal of providing unparalleled legal representation to accident victims and their families.
Lawyers at all three firms have in-depth experience with the specific challenges facing children who have been catastrophically injured, and we are committed to ensuring that young clients have access to all of the resources they will need to reach their full potential. Our lawyers work closely with parents and health care specialists to understand a child’s current and future needs, and to obtain a fair settlement that will provide the appropriate financial supports to meet those needs.
For more information, please visit the Oatley Vigmond website at: www.oatleyvigmond.com
For more information, please see our firm profile on Everyday Heroes Kids https://www.ehkidshealth.com/org/ndXQbTjdbDEpgfJjuEbL
