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Child Concussions Treated at California Hospitals Increase 73 Percent

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
kids playing footballAccording to California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, the number of children between ages nine and 13 receiving treatment for sports concussions in the state went up 73 percent from 2005 to 2015. There were 6,139 reported cases in 2015 alone. Many leading physicians consider the increase to be a positive trend, indicating that parents and coaches are taking the issue more seriously and are more aware of the warning signs of concussions. The fact that all 50 states passed a youth sports concussion law in 2014 may play a role in the increased number of children receiving treatment. These laws often require that the child be removed from a game or play if officials or coaches suspect a concussion. Some also require that a doctor determine when a child who has been injured can safely return to game play.

Nationwide Increase in Concussion Rates

The announcement comes shortly after a recent study from the University of California, San Francisco, that revealed that concussion rates have significantly increased nationwide. According to study results, the concussion rate among U.S. children more than doubled between 2007 and 2014. Children ages 10 to 14 saw the most significant increase, followed closely by those who are 15 to 19 years old. Because the study focused on a broad cross-section of the population, rather than only sports-related concussions, the exact cause of the increase in unknown.

Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion

Concussions can have significant impact on a child’s brain, and, unfortunately, the signs and symptoms are not always immediately noticeable. Most people assume that all concussions result in passing out. However, 90 percent of those who have a concussion do not lose consciousness, which can make it difficult to determine whether or not a child has a concussion. It is important that parents, guardians, and coaches keep an eye out for the following signs and symptoms of a concussion:
  • Strange behavior
  • Confusion
  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Poor balance
  • Fatigue or suddenly becoming sleepy
  • Ringing in the ears
If you suspect that your child suffered a concussion while playing sports, take him or her to the emergency room for a medical evaluation. If you believe that your child suffered a concussion due to someone else’s negligence, or that their injury was made worse because of negligence, contact our personal injury lawyers today to review your claim. Your initial consultation with our experienced attorneys is absolutely free and you will not be charged legal fees unless we obtain a favorable verdict or settlement on your behalf.

Call (916) 777-7777 right now.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.