Football Concussion Lawsuits Start To Hit High Schools

HughPickens.com writes Michael Tarm reports that a former high school quarterback has filed a lawsuit against the Illinois High School Association saying it didn't do enough to protect him from concussions when he played and still doesn't do enough to protect current players. This is the first instance in which legal action has been taken for former high school players as a whole against a group responsible for prep sports in a state. Such litigation could snowball, as similar suits targeting associations in other states are planned. "In Illinois high school football, responsibility — and, ultimately, fault — for the historically poor management of concussions begins with the IHSA," the lawsuit states. It calls high school concussions "an epidemic" and says the "most important battle being waged on high school football fields ... is the battle for the health and lives of" young players. The lawsuit calls on the Bloomington-based IHSA to tighten its head-injury protocols. It doesn't seek damages. "This is not a threat or attack on football," says attorney Joseph Siprut, who reached a $75 million settlement in a similar lawsuit against the NCAA in 2011. "Football is in danger in Illinois and other states — especially at the high school level — because of how dangerous it is. If football does not change internally, it will die. The talent well will dry up as parents keep kids out of the sport— and that's how a sport dies." Previous research has shown that far from innocuous, invisible injuries, concussions confer tremendous brain damage. Individuals with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) may show symptoms of dementia, such as memory loss, aggression, confusion and depression, which generally appear years or many decades after the trauma. "The idea that you can whack your head hundreds of times in your life and knock yourself out and get up and be fine is gone," says Chris Nowinski. "We know we can't do that anymore. This causes long-term damage."

Comments

Re:Tort System

[sjames]

Because they are minors and their coaches are presented as experts. That convinces both the kids and parents all is well when it is not. The entire school is seemingly geared to guide minors into school sports.

Beyond that, this is a case where the 'product' is 'used' correctly and causes severe injuries anyway. Your saw scenario is a case of using the product incorrectly. If you're using the saw correctly and the blade pops off and cuts your leg off, it is a fairly clear liability for the manufacturer that got the bolts from the Happee Bolt Company and did no QC.

And note that the suit in TFA demands only reforms to reduce concussion injury, not money.

Re:Here's an idea

[Anonymous Coward]

I have a strong preference for the round-ball game but it's only fair to point out that the term 'football' originally denoted any ball game played on foot, as opposed to games played on horseback of which there were many but only polo survives in a popular form. Meanwhile back in English public schools the chaps couldn't be bothered saying 'Association Football' so they abbreviated the name of the game to 'soc'. When one of the more versatile chaps was asked if he was going to play 'Rugger' this year he replied no, he was going to play 'soccer', and the name stuck.