Indiana Brain Injury Lawyers – New Study Focuses on Multiple Head Injuries

At Young and Young, we pay special attention to brain injury and the science of diagnosing the injury. As your Indiana Brain Injury lawyers, we want to bring to your attention new studies about the effect of hits to the head.  If you are a football fan, and have been following the National Football League, you know that the NFL recognizes that players are in danger from significant blows to the head.  Philadelphia Eagles fans remember Harold Carmichael, the six foot nine receiver who had to quit the league because of too many concussions.  San Francisco 49ers fans remember losing their quarterback to concussions.  Indianapolis Colts fans watched in horror as Austin Collie lay helpless  on the field with his arms drawn up like he was paralyzed.  The NFL has instituted new rules to try and minimize the danger associated with hits to the head.  We think going back to leather helmets would encourage players to not lead with their head or to enter contact so violently.

In this month’s copy of National Geographic Magazine further evidence is discussed that places even more emphasis on protecting the brain. A study being conducted at the University of North Carolina is pointing out that a lot of small hits may be just as bad as a few large hits.  The scientist are quick to point out that it is too early to draw conclusions from the study, but some theories are emerging. It has long been known that repeated blows to the head causes brain injury.  In boxers it was called being punch drunk. Now we know this as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The study is attempting to determine the effect of repeated smaller blows to the head with the idea of trying to prevent injury to future athletes.  For now, we encourage all athletes to wear their helmets, including when skiing and biking. Be careful, the best way to treat brain injury is to prevent brain injury.