Concussions and Fall Sports: Know the Signs

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on October 1, 2015

Football, volleyball, cheer leading, soccer: fall sports and activities give children, teens, and adults the chance to have fun and stay active. But, they also increase the risk of a head injury. When you know the signs of a concussion, you can help reduce long-term symptoms, speed up the healing process, and prevent a second head injury from making matters worse.

Here are the signs and symptoms of a concussion:

• Appearing or feeling dazed or stunned
• Trouble remembering what happened immediately before or after the blow to the head
• Confusion, difficulty focusing or answering questions (forgetting plays, routines, or being confused about what’s going on)
• Clumsiness, balance problems, or dizziness
• Headaches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Complains of double vision, blurred vision, or the world looking “flat” or skewed
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Appearing or complaining of being more tired, sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy than usual
• Mood changes (more depressed, anxious, or grouchy than usual)

If you suspect a concussion, remove the athlete or performer from the activity immediately. Keep them out of performances or practices until you have them evaluated by a qualified medical professional and that medical professional clears them to start participating again.

An athlete is at the highest risk of suffering a second blow to the head while they are healing from a concussion. A second concussion on top of an unhealed concussion compounds the damage and can lead to long-term or permanent impairments. It’s essential that a concussion be treated promptly and allowed to heal fully before the athlete returns to the sport.

At Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., our experienced Seattle traumatic brain injury lawyers can help you secure compensation if another person’s negligence has caused you harm. Contact us today to learn more. We can be reached at (888) 228-3860.