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Brain Injury More Common than Previously Thought in Professional Athletes

Professional sports associations have come under fire in recent months for the undisclosed and minimized risks of traumatic brain injury and related conditions that can arise from participation in professional sports. These days, it seems that athletes should know the risks associated with participation in a professional sport, but that was not always the case. Even 10 years ago, the culture of professional sports and the “tough guy” mentality encouraged by the leagues was pervasive and prevented an intelligible discourse on the safety techniques and preventative measures that are just now coming into use.

Professional sports associations, like other employers, have a duty to their “employees” – or players – to fully inform them of the risks they face while participating in the league. If a league hides known information about a certain risk, or if it encourages continued participation in the face of known risks, the league may be held responsible for the player’s injuries. Indeed, this is exactly the case in a recent lawsuit brought by over 5,000 former NFL players against the NFL.

New Research Indicates Traumatic Brain Injury May Be Present in 40% of Former Players

According to a recent news report coming out of the Florida Center for Headache and Sports Neurology and the Florida State University College of Medicine in Tallahassee, some 40% of former professional athletes may have suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The study looked at 40 former players who played for an average of seven years and had been out of the league for five years.

Remarkably, the players reported an average of 8.1 concussions. This resulted in 43% of the players showing some signs of TBI. In fact, 50% of them had problems with executive function, 45% had problems with learning or memory, 42% had problems with attention or concentration, and 24% had problems with spatial and perceptual functions.

Not surprisingly, the longer the player participated in professional sports, the higher the chance he had of sustaining a TBI. The researchers noted that this type of injury is consistent with the posthumously diagnosed disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which was the basis for the class-action lawsuit filed against the NFL by former players. Those suffering from CTE show signs of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and early-onset dementia.

Have You Suffered a TBI after Participating in a Professional Sport?

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury after participating in a professional sport, you may be entitled to monetary compensation based on the league’s failure to warn you of all the risks involved. A diagnosis of a TBI can be life-changing and should not be overlooked. The skilled personal injury lawyers at Cecere Santana have decades of experience representing injured Floridians in all kinds of personal injury lawsuits, and we know what it takes to be successful on behalf of our clients. Call 800-753-5529 to set up a free consultation today.

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FDA Declines Total Recall of Essure Birth Control and Implements Strict Warning Instead, Cecere Santana Injury Lawyers Blog, published March 17, 2016.

Health Care Products Manufacturer Found Liable in Product Liability Lawsuit, Forced to Pay Out $72 Million Award, Cecere Santana Injury Lawyers Blog, published March 4, 2016.

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