Personal Injury Law

New York Public High Schools Look to Increase Brain Injury Prevention Methods

By Bruce Stern

New York's Public High School Athletic Association has recently begun tracking head injuries in female lacrosse players in order to determine whether or not helmets should be mandatory for all players. Though lacrosse, and several other high school level sports, are intended to be a 'no-contact' sport, the facts are evident that injuries occur, and stricter preventative measures need to be implemented.

Some fear that implementing a mandatory helmet rule would make the sport in itself a more aggressive game. However, those who are in favor of implementing the rule, say they can protect your head, without changing the game. Doctors have stated in the past that helmets do not prevent concussions from occurring; however they do lessen the extent of injuries. 

U.S. Lacrosse, believes that research has been done showing there is no need to change the rules or equipment used in girls lacrosse. However, while U.S. Lacrosse finds there's no need to change the rules on a national level, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association could impose its own rule on helmets.

As I've stated in the past, the need for stricter preventative measures is evident. Children across the country are injured on a daily basis, and while the need for increased treatment of these injuries is important, it is even more important, and beneficial, to prevent these injuries before they even occur.

Full post as published by Traumatic Brain Injury Law Blog on May 15, 2009 (boomark / email).