Legislation introduced in the spring of 2011 - known as the Children's Sports Athletic Equipment Safety Act - would require manufactures to improve the safety testing of football helmets to address concussions. Introduced by Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), the Act would also require industry standards to take into consideration the safety of children under the age of twelve.
Sen. Udall is urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate helmet manufacturers for advertising that he calls "misleading safety claims and deceptive practices." The Act would give the FTC and state attorneys general more power to penalize companies that falsely advertise or mislead the public about helmets and other safety products marketed to children.
If the proposed legislation is passed, the industry would have nine months to establish new standards. If those are not done in that amount of time, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will establish mandatory standards for the industry.
Currently, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) oversees the only standardized test for football helmets. The test is designed to test for helmets' effectiveness in preventing skull fractures, not concussions.
Concussions
It is important to be checked out by a doctor following a blow to the head, even if you are not experiencing symptoms of a concussion, as symptoms may not always manifested immediately.
According to the Mayo Clinic, concussion symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Amnesia
- Confusion
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Slurred speech
- Ringing in the ears
The effects of a concussion may be fleeting or may last for extended periods of time, limiting a football player's return to the gridiron.
Complications of Concussions
Concussions are brain injuries; therefore, concussions could cause potential complications. The Mayo Clinic highlights the following possible health complications:
- Cumulative effects - Athletes (and others) that suffer multiple concussions throughout their lives may develop lasting cognitive impairment.
- Epilepsy - Suffering a concussion doubles the risk of developing epilepsy within five years of the concussion.
- Second impact syndrome - Suffering a second concussion while still experiencing the symptoms of a prior concussion could lead to rapid and fatal brain swelling.
Football is a physical game that involves often-violent contact, but that doesn't mean that manufacturers or anybody else should just passively accept injuries. The risk of injury may always be there, but that risk should be kept within bounds and minimized wherever possible.
If you or a loved one is injured playing sports, first seek medical care and then discuss the circumstances of the injury with an experienced personal injury attorney. Manufacturers of safety equipment, coaches and others should be held to the standard of keeping preventable injuries preventable.
