Advocacy Group Calls For Start Of Hit Count To Prevent Brain Injuries In Young Athletes

The Sports Legacy Institute (SLI), a Boston-based sports advocacy group seeking injury prevention and education for athletes of all ages, announced on February 3 that it is calling for a hit count to be put in place for children playing contact sports. According to The Huffington Post, this hit count would keep track of how many times each player comes in hard contact with another and set a limit on how many times they can take a hit before having to stop.

The goal of the SLI’s hit count would specifically focus on preventing head injuries, such as concussions, in order to prevent serious brain trauma which is especially dangerous at a young age when a child’s brain functions are still developing. While football would be the most obvious of sports to be targeted by the hit count, the organization says that soccer, ice hockey, and rugby would also be subjected. Although even one hard hit is enough to cause a traumatic brain injury, athletes often absorb multiple blows per game.

According to research, a high school football player takes an average of 1,000 hits per season, and others are exposed to as many as 2,500. Under the rules of a hit count, players would have currently undetermined limits on hits per day, week, season, and year, with mandatory rest required after any exposure to brain trauma.

Any form of traumatic brain injury can have lasting repercussions far beyond the immediate symptoms felt by a victim, resulting in permanent brain damage and various losses of cognitive function. When such an injury is due to the negligence or reckless actions of another party, those affected can seek financial compensation for their losses. The San Jose traumatic brain injury lawyers at Caputo and Van Der Walde – Injury & Accident Attorneys can help you find fair and full compensation for yourself or any loved one who has suffered such a devastating injury. For more information on how we can aid you in your case, call our offices today at (800) 900-0863.