Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, CTE, is a progressive degenerative disease that affects the brain. It is caused by repeated blows to the head and concussions such as those that occur while playing contact sports like football. In addition to athletes, CTE may also occur in members of the military.
Up until now, CTE has not been successfully diagnosed except after death. However, recently doctors were able to diagnose CTE in a living person using brain scans. An autopsy done after the patient’s death revealed that the original scans correctly diagnosed CTE about four years earlier. This is a major discovery and one that could help doctors’ better treat patients by properly diagnosing the disease in the early stages.
Sports-Related CTE
CTE is a result of head trauma. While there is still much to learn about the disease, it is important to protect against it while playing football and other high-impact sports. CTE is likely caused by repeated blows to the head, particularly those that result in concussions. Professional athletes may be at high risk for such injuries. Additionally, children and teens who play football are also in danger of getting CTE.
It is becoming more apparent that athletes of all ages need to take sufficient safety measures to protect against serious head injuries. The ability to diagnose CTE in living patients brings scientists closer to better understanding the disease. By accurately reviewing brain scans, doctors may be able to see exactly when CTE starts. This will lead to better injury management.
Insufficient Safety Measures
Team managers, doctors, and others need to provide athletes with safety gear that will protect against head injuries. Standard football helmets have been found to provide insufficient protection against some head trauma. New helmet designs should be utilized to ensure proper safeguard against severe injuries. The National Football League and the NFL Players Association conduct lab tests to determine the best football helmets.
New helmet designs provide custom fitting; each helmet is designed to protect each player’s head with a proper fit. The major drawback is that these protective helmets are extremely expensive. While professional athletes and their franchises are able to afford these helmets, their high cost is prohibitive to college and high school players. The future of football is certainly unsure because parents and coaches need to provide a safe environment for players.
In addition to providing proper protective gear, sports teams must manage players appropriately. Players who have suffered a significant blow to the head need to be immediately examined and not allowed to continue playing. Managers and other team officials may be responsible for injuries to their players if they do not have adequate safety measures in place to prevent head injuries or do not provide proper medical assessment.
A serious sports injury may due to someone’s negligence. A severe head injury could lead to CTE. If you suffered severe head trauma while participating in a sporting event, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the legal team at the Law Office of Patrick G. Shea to schedule a consultation today.
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