As the school year begins, many student athletes and parents are enjoying fall sports - chief among them Football. As a beloved Texas pastime, football is a part of life for many across San Antonio and the state. Unfortunately, the sport does pose dangers to athletes, especially younger athletes who are still maturing physically and mentally.

Whether your child plays football, another sport, or enjoys any type of recreational activity, our team of personal injury lawyers at The Daspit Law Firm would like to remind you to make safety a priority this fall. After all, children who play sports - especially football - face increased risks of suffering head injuries.

To help keep your child and other children safe as they enjoy sports, our team has put together a list of helpful tips to prevent and properly react in the event of a concussion:

• Safety equipment and helmets - Safety helmets and other forms of safety equipment are crucial to protecting student athletes of all ages and in any sport. While safety equipment won’t fully eliminate the risks of injury, they can reduce risks significantly. Make sure athletes wear proper protective gear during games and practice.
• Ensure rules are being followed - Young athletes should be taught the proper rules and safety techniques, as well as sportsmanship, in order to keep everyone safe. For example, football coaches should be teaching kids to never lower their heads when making a tackle.
• Know the signs of a concussion - Familiarize yourself with common signs of a concussion so you are able to recognize if your child or another young athlete has suffered a possible brain injury. Common signs include: enlarged pupils, drowsiness, headaches that progressively get worse, weakness, numbness, dizziness, vomiting and nausea, confusion, and other unusual behavior.
• Know how to react - if you suspect a young athlete has suffered a concussion during play, take it seriously - brain injuries have the potential to cause serious harm and long-term damages. Remove the athlete from play, seek medical evaluations, inform parents, and make sure they are cleared before returning gradually to practice and play. When in doubt, always sit the child out.
• Learn concussion policies - Learn the concussion policies for the league or school system so that you can identify when coaches or trainers aren’t following proper procedures. Negligent adults who keep kids in after an injury or return them prematurely place these children at risk, and they may be held responsible for not following proper protocol.

If you have questions about concussions and sports injuries, our legal team is available to discuss your situation and your legal rights during a FREE consultation. Contact The Daspit Law Firm today to speak with a lawyer.