Children have been back in school for over a month here in Illinois and Indiana. See “Illinois schools are starting earlier and earlier — except in Chicago,” written by Nader Issa and published by the Chicago Sun Times on August 14, 2019. For kids attending Indianapolis’ Public Schools, the first day of school was August 5, 2019.
This means the 2019 High School Football Season is well underway. We’re entering the fourth week of the football season for most high schoolers in our part of the country.
From an injury advocate’s perspective, what this means is we’re in the midst of the latest Youth Sports Concussion Season, where student athletes will suffer brain injuries that may result in life-altering consequences or even death.
High School Football Concussion Season
There is little comfort in the fact that the National Federation of State High School Associations has announced that fewer children are participating in high school football programs this year.
According to the NFSHA, there are fewer kids playing high school football programs in both Illinois and Indiana. Many parents are not allowing their children to join their high school football team.
In Illinois, in the past dozen years according to the NFSHA there has been a 25% decline in kids playing high school football (48,844 boys in 11 player football in 2006-07, compared to 38,366 in 2018-19 school year).
Compare this to Indiana where in the past 12 years, there has been a reported 11% decline in kids playing high school football (22,918 boys in 11 player football in 2006-07, compared to 20,344 in 2018-19 school year).
The Risk High School Football Players Will Hide or Discount Head Injuries
We have discussed the dangers and risks facing young people on the football field before, during practice as well as during the official games. See, e.g.:
- Football Brain Injuries: How Dangerous Is It To Play Football?
- High School Football: Brain Injury Even If No Severe Concussion Reported – Is Your Child At Risk?
- Severe Sports Injuries and Permanent Harm to Athletes and Students in Indiana and Illinois.
Of particular concern here is the reality that these high school football players may hide the fact that they have suffered a blow to their head or neck, while others may acknowledge the hit but discount the severity of the symptoms they are experiencing. For these teenagers, staying in the game may be more important than seeking medical treatment.
For more, read:
- Student Athletes Hiding Concussions to Keep Playing the Game; and
- High School Football Players Will Play Even After Head Injury and Concussion, New Study Finds: Need to Protect Kids From Football Injuries and Themselves.
Given the risk that the high school football player may not willingly take himself (or herself) out of the game or off the field, the duty to monitor these children and ensure their physical safety while in play becomes paramount.
Parents must rely upon others to protect their children during sporting activities. Tragically, there will be times when their trust is misplaced.
Failure of the Duty of Care by Trainers, Coaches, and Other Supervising Adults for Children in Sports
High school football players will be practicing the sport or playing the game under the watchful eyes of coaches, trainers, and sport officials, among others. Parents place their kids into the hands of these professionals when they allow their kids to play high school sports.
All adults who are overseeing children playing high school sports, particularly football, have a duty to keep the student athletes safe from harm while they are participating in the school activity. This includes understanding the nuances of concussion injuries and how they manifest in a teenager, as well as knowing that the kids cannot be relied upon to volunteer the fact they have been hurt. It also involves knowing the appropriate steps to take for a child who has suffered a head injury while playing high school football as well as what to do if someone suspects a player may be at risk of a concussion.
Training is readily available for these professionals, such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Free Concussion Training Course, prepared for coaches and sports officials.
Coaches and trainers have a duty to know when to do things like pulling someone out of a practice or a play during a football game (no matter how vital that player to the score) as well as understanding that little things like a jolt to the head during play that causes the player’s head to move rapidly is enough to get that kid checked out.
If this duty of care is breached, then the school district, the coach or trainer, and others may be legally liable for the concussion injury and its consequences.
Warnings That Your Child Has Suffered a Concussion While Playing High School Football
It is true that not all concussions are the same. Some are minor; others are so harsh that the single event results in permanent harm or even a fatality.
The Brain Injury Association explains that medical professionals categorize concussions in three levels of severity, according to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The lower the score, the more serious the head trauma:
- Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (GCS Below 8);
- Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury (GCS Between 8 – 12); and
- Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (GCS Above 12).
It is not easy to discern that your child has come home from playing football at school after suffering a blow to the head that has resulted in a concussion. Symptoms are varied.
They can be (1) physical changes in speech or balance to headaches and fatigue; (2) cognitive changes such as changes in attention span, ability to read or write, or short-term memory loss; and/or (3) emotional changes in the child which can include depression, lack of motivation, and mood swings.
Given the head injury dangers involved in playing high school football, parents need to be vigilant in monitoring their student athletes for concussion. Any doubts should be resolved in favor of an immediate and thorough examination by a trusted physician.
Questions? The National Brain Injury Information Center offers a toll-free number (1-800-444-6443) for parents who may have questions about brain injuries and potential concussions to their football playing child. It is a free service provided confidentially.
Child Concussion Injuries in High School Football in Indiana and Illinois
As we proceed through this year’s high school football season, it is critical that everyone from parents and loved ones to players, coaches, trainers, and others on the field, understand how a student athlete can be seriously injured in even a single sudden hit to the head, regardless of whether or not he is wearing a helmet.
Both Indiana and Illinois have personal injury laws in place to help high school football players and their families deal with the aftermath of a serious concussion injury.
These claims must be investigated not only to determine the scope of liability (who all shares responsibility under the law) but to assess the full extent of the harm (and the physical injuries and long term disability that may result).
High School football season is a longstanding tradition here in Indiana and Illinois, and for many students it is the ticket to scholarships and professional careers. While football is to be appreciated, its dangers to teenagers playing the game must be remembered. Please be careful out there!
