Brain Injury

August 26, 2012

NFL Touchdowns, Brain Injury Penalties

Anapol Weiss

Who knew the quest to make touchdowns for a living was so fraught with the potential for brain traumas?

In June 2012, lawsuits representing more than 2,100 National Football League players were filed, claiming the NFL concealed information linking football-related head injuries to permanent brain damage.

According to pending lawsuits, “We believe that the long-term medical complications that have been associated with multiple concussions – such as memory loss, impulse anger-control problems, disorientation, dementia – were well documented, and that factually the NFL knew or should have known of these potentially devastating neurological problems, and yet it didn’t take any active role in addressing the issue for players,” said Anapol Weiss Attorney Larry Coben, who was quoted in the New York Times article.

October 11, 2011

New Law Targets Concussions in PA High School Sports

Anapol Weiss

While fractures, broken bones, and other more tangible sidelining injuries have often received the most attention by organized sports officials, concussions have always posed an insidious yet serious danger. Due to a recent increase in concussion awareness, including a very high profile class action lawsuit in which former National Football League players are suing the league for turning a blind eye toward the problem, this important issue is getting more and more focus. A new Pennsylvania bill joins the growing initiative by implementing new safety measures to battle traumatic brain injuries in young athletes.

The suggested law, the Safety in Youth Sports Act, provides additional rules for educating parents, training athletic coaches, and sets protocol regarding when an athlete is permitted to return to the field or court following a potential concussion.

Specifically, the bill mandates:

November 2, 2010

Poor Helmet and Motor Vehicle Designs Can Lead to Catastrophic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries

Anapol Weiss

In a recent October issue of The Legal Intelligencer, Larry E. Coben discussed spinal cord and brain injuries in depth, as well as design defects in motor vehicles and helmets that allow such catastrophic injuries to occur in his article “Representing the Catastrophically Injured, Part I.” Coben has represented individuals who have been catastrophically injured or killed nationwide for over 35 years. He is also a shareholder and attorney with Anapol Weiss.

The severity of head injuries is directly dependent on the rate, direction, and peak of acceleration of the brain and the head. While most head injuries occur in mere seconds, their impact can last a lifetime.

Motorists typically suffer spinal cord and brain injuries related to four aspects of car design:

October 28, 2010

Head Injury, Concussion Alert for Athletes and Parents of Athletes

Anapol Weiss

Far too many of us are quick to view hard hits during NFL football games as replay opportunities glorifying highlights of a well-played game. However, with athletes and parents of athletes hearing about the tragic football accident that killed a 15-year-old high school boy, concern has mounted regarding concussions and their potentially life-threatening risks as well as how the NFL portrays aggressive hits.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on September 1 that the Upper Darby, PA teenager’s head struck another football player’s knee during practice. Even though the young teen was wearing a helmet (and pads), he went into a coma before succumbing to his head injury. According to the article, the young boy was not breathing and had no pulse when police and paramedics arrived at Upper Darby High School in Pennsylvania.

The Los Angeles Times reports on the recent Sports Illustrated special edition covering concussions. The story also addresses the NFL’s decision to fine and even potentially suspend players who are determined to have inflicted deliberately dangerous hits upon other players.