Conference on Child Brain Injuries to Host Nine Experts in the Field

Charleston, West Virginia is holding a conference on child brain injuries early this November in hopes to address the "silent yet serious epidemic" of brain injury to children, according to The Journal online.  Titled "My Child Has a Brain Injury: Information for Families and Schools," the conference will host keynote speaker Ron Savage, president of the North American Brain Injury Society.  Among the topics to be discussed by Savage and other experts at the event are bicycle accidents, abuse, sports, and auto accidents, all leading causes of pediatric brain injury.  According to the article, approximately 130,000 bicycle accidents per year result in brain injuries to children and adolescents, and a total of about 1 million children in the U.S. sustain brain injuries each year, ranging in degree from mild to severe.  Additionally, approximately one-third of all cases of child injury involve injury to the brain.

Those interested in more child brain injury facts and statistics such as these may wish to attend the conference, which is scheduled for Nov. 5 and 6 at South Charleston's Ramada Inn.  Sponsored by the Brain Injury Association of West Virginia, the conference will feature talks from nine brain injury experts.

As highlighted in these statistics, brain injuries can be extremely serious, and children are not immune to such injuries.  If you believe that your child has suffered a head or brain injury for any reason, seek medical attention immediately.  For information on how to receive the best medical care from the experts in the field or how to receive compensation for medical bills and other expenses, feel free to contact child brain injury attorney Chris Keane.

Click here to contact Chris Keane online or call 1-888-592-KIDS (1-888-592-5437).

Click here for more information about child injury lawyer Chris Keane.

Tim Tebow's Concussion Controversy: What We Can Learn from the Brain Injury Incident

In the midst of controversy over his condition and whether he should play just two weeks after suffering his first career concussion, University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow stepped onto the football field this past Saturday to start in the Gators' game against the LSU Tigers.  What began the heated discussions was a hit during Florida's game against Kentucky:  as Tebow was being sacked, his helmet struck a teammate's leg, leaving him motionless on the ground before he was finally able to make his way to the sideline, where he then began to vomit and display other signs of concussion.  After suffering the serious brain injury, the Heisman Trophy winner was taken to a hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, where he spent Saturday night and was released on Sunday.

After undergoing balance and memory tests, avoiding reading or watching television (due to a lasting headache), and following other doctor recommendations for an extended period of time, Tebow was medically cleared to play with his team in their October 10th game.  According to coach Urban Meyer, the quarterback understood the severity of his brain injury and took the proper precautions to ensure that he was recovering.  One of the ways doctors determined the degree of his recovery was by comparing his recent test results to that of baseline tests taken in June.  Baseline testing-- now used by many college football programs-- involves a 20-minute computerized test that is used to measure the visual motor skills, memory, speed, and brain processing of the athlete.  When that athlete suffers a concussion, he goes through the same tests so that doctors can compare the results.

What can we learn from this incident of serious brain injury?  No matter the severity of the head trauma, we can learn that sports often lead to serious injuries such as concussions.  Although Tebow appeared to experience complete recovery from his injury within a couple weeks, others do not always heal as quickly or easily.  We recently added a post to this Child Brain Injury Blog about the symptoms of concussions, their common link to sports, and the dangers of the serious head injury.  In fact, a more recent post discussed an incident of fatal brain injury from concussion that occurred during a high school football game.  If your child or teenager has been injured while playing sports and you believe he or she may have suffered a concussion or another type of brain injury, do not hesitate to seek medical care.  For free resources and answers to your most important questions, contact child brain injury attorney Chris Keane.  As an advocate for athletes and other young victims of brain injury, Keane will help you find the best medical care and rehabilitation for your child.

Click here to contact Chris Keane online or call 888-592-KIDS.

Relevant Link:

Tests to determine Tebow's return

High School Football Player, 16, Dies of Brain Injury From Hit During the Game

A high school football player who was hit in the head at a Friday night football game died from fatal brain injuries, according to The Seattle Times.  Andrew Swank, only 16 years old, was a junior defensive back at Valley Christian School.  The Spokane Valley teen reportedly suffered a blow to the head during the game and walked to the sideline after he was hit, where he then collapsed.  After the incident, Swank was airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for his brain injury.  Although the surgery was an attempt to relieve pressure on the brain, the teen was listed in critical condition after the operation and died Sunday.

According to the article, the state of Washington has the most rigid sports law concerning concussions in the nation.  Passed this spring, the Zackery Lystedt Law requires all minor athletes (ages 17 and under) to have written consent from a licensed medical expert on concussions before returning to any game.

If your son or daughter is playing a sport this fall and suffers a blow to the head, do not take risks by putting your child back in the game, no matter what state you live in:  seek immediate medical attention, even if the injury seems moderate.  If you think your child or teenager has suffered a concussion or brain injury (whether playing sports, in a car accident, or elsewhere), feel free to contact child brain injury attorney Chris Keane, and he will help you find the best medical care for your child and answer your legal questions for free regarding liability or negligence.

To contact child brain injury lawyer Chris Keane, fill out our online form or call 1-888-592-KIDS.

Fall, School Sports, & Concussions | CA Child Brain Injury Attorney

Fall is here, beginning the sports season in the schools and, according to Dr. Joan Pellegrini's article on the WABI TV5 website, beginning the time of year when concussions and other head injuries can be prevalent.  It's important to note, however, than anyone can suffer a concussion anytime and at any age.  A concussion occurs when someone suffers a blow to the head that results in unconsciousness, a dazed feeling or lapse in memory, or dizziness.  Many believe that a concussion is not a serious injury, but the reality is this:  a concussion is a form of brain injury, and any injury to the brain can result in serious side effects or long-term consequences.  In fact, Dr. Pellegrini highlights the facts that concussion victims suffer an increased risk of seizures up to five years after impact, and multiple concussions can lead to brain damage or learning disabilities.

Below are some of the side effects of post-concussive syndrome:

• chronic headache


• chronic dizziness


• loss of concentration


• fatigue


• changes in personality or mood


• loss of appetite


• nausea


• problems with balance.

If your child is playing a sport this fall and suffers a blow to the head, do not take risks by putting your child back in the game:  seek immediate medical attention, no matter how moderate the injury seems.  If you think your child has suffered a concussion (whether playing sports, in a car accident, or elsewhere), feel free to contact child brain injury attorney Chris Keane, and he will help you find the best medical care for your child and answer your legal questions for free regarding liability or negligence.

To contact pediatric brain injury lawyer Chris Keane, fill out our online form or call 1-888-592-KIDS.