The new school year is starting and student athletes are getting ready to train hard for the upcoming sports season. Rough contact sports like football, rugby, lacrosse, and even cheerleading often create dangerous situations for students. Concussions are a common sports injury among student athletes, and can lead to serious – sometimes fatal – consequences if left untreated.
South Carolina has finally passed a law requiring all school districts to distribute a concussion information form to all athletes, coaches, trainers, volunteers, and parents of student athletes. Before the student is allowed to participate in school sports, the information form MUST be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to the school.
Under the new law, if a student is suspected to have a concussion, the coach or trainer must remove the athlete from the game or practice immediately. A student athlete may return to play only if he or she has had a full examination by a physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or athletic trainer, and has been confirmed to show no signs or symptoms of a concussion or brain injury. If a student does have symptoms of a concussion, he or she must obtain written permission from a doctor to continue playing.
Signs your student athlete may have a concussion:
- Loss of consciousness
- Lying motionless on the ground, unable to respond
- Loss of coordination and balance
- Grabbing or rubbing the head
- Dazed or confused look
- Confusion, short-term memory loss
This new concussion law is designed to bring awareness to the seriousness of concussions and brain injuries, and teach students, coaches, and parents how to recognize common signs and symptoms. If your child has suffered a head injury or concussion and was not cleared by a doctor before returning to play, he or she may be in serious danger. Contact the experienced personal injury team at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers to see how we can help. We’ll meet you in Charleston, Columbia, Orangeburg, Greenville, Walterboro, or anywhere else in the state to discuss your options.