Representing injured plaintiffs in catastrophic injury cases involving common carriers, cruise ships

An Illinois man, James Hausman, recently won his catastrophic injury lawsuit against Holland America Line cruses after he suffered a traumatic brain injury on a cruise, when an automatic sliding-glass door closed on him, striking him in the head (Watch US News Video) in 2011. The federal jury in Seattle awarded $21.5 million in damages after a nine-day trial where attorneys argued that dozens of other passengers were also injured by the same type of automatic doors on Holland’s cruise ship fleet, with arguably faulty sensors.[i] The jury verdict includes $16.5 million in punitive damages, punishing the defendants for failing to keep its ships safe and protect the safety of its passengers.

Michael V. Favia and QPWB law firm represent injured plaintiffs, including those injured on cruises.

In Chicago, Attorney Michael V. Favia represents injured plaintiffs who suffer traumatic brain injuries and all other types of injuries. Favia is a Chicago attorney licensed to practice in the State of Illinois, and he is an attorney of-counsel to Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. (QPWB), a multi-state law firm with offices on both coasts, Panama City and on the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The QPWB website has a legal practice area section dedicated to Admiralty and Maritime Law cases involving cruise ships and catastrophic injury cases.

The plaintiff injured on the Holland America Line ship was treated for concussion on the ship. Further medical attention addressed a minor brain injury, the effects of which still challenge the injured man four years later. “”He still has trouble with things that would have been simple before,” said Hausman’s lawyer, Rick Friedman, adding that his client has sold his gold and precious-metals retail business.”[ii]

Common carriers, including cruise ships owe the highest legal duty of care to passengers and cargo.

A common carrier in the business of transporting cargo and people has a special legal duty owing the highest degree of care and diligence in the safety of cargo and passengers. Cruise ships are common carriers according to Section 3(6) of the Shipping Act of 1984[iii]. Cruise ships must warn passengers about potentially dangerous conditions. Failure to warn passengers of dangerous conditions is negligent and the common carrier is liable for injuries when it knew or should have known about the dangerous condition, and did not do anything to warn or protect passengers. In this case, attorneys for the plaintiff identified dozens of passengers who were similarly injured by Holland America Line’s automatic sliding-glass doors with faulty sensors.

Punitive damages are awarded in cases where a court finds punitive damages a proper punishment to deter a defendant from continuing similar outrageous conduct. Punitive damages punish conduct that is in bad faith, fraudulent, wanton and reckless. $16.5 million is the court’s award to James Hausman, sending a clear message to Holland America Line cruises that knowing their doors were dangerous and their failure to repair or warn passengers is unacceptable.

The law firm of Michael V. Favia & Associates, of counsel to the QPWB law firm, can hold common carriers to their duty to keep their passengers and cargo safe.

Unfortunately, it can come down to an economic decision, to make the repairs or risk paying out for a few injured passengers. In many cases in recent history, we hear about large companies saving huge amounts of money not making corrections, because it is less expensive to pay minor consequences. A large punitive damages award in the millions of dollars, however can rattle some cages where corporate decision makers are held responsible.

Michael V. Favia & Associates is a health law and injury litigation law firm. With offices conveniently located in the Chicago Loop, Northwest side and suburban meeting locations, you can schedule a discrete meeting with an attorney at your convenience and discretion. For more about Michael V. Favia & Associates’ professional licensing work, please visit FaviaLawFirm.com and feel free to “Like” the firm on Facebook and “Follow” the firm on Twitter.

 

[i] US News and World Report, Man Wins $21.5 Million From Holland America, AP, Nov. 11, 2015.

[ii] See HNi above

[iii] 46 U.S.C. Sec.1702(6)

Baseline testing helps doctors assess concussions in youth sports

The baseline testing assesses cognitive functioning, reaction time, memory and how the subject processes information.

The parents of 10-year-olds have enough to worry about raising their kids, including the risk of traumatic brain injury if the children are involved in competitive contact sports. Hockey, soccer, football and basketball players have a risk of concussions. In hockey alone, there are chances a player will hit the wall, the ice or another player, which is a leading cause of traumatic brain injury. The plaintiff personal injury lawsuits filed by former NFL players increased the attention paid to athletes and injury, from the professional leagues to youth sports. While the 10-year-old hockey players are not hitting as hard as the high school students, it is important to educate and train both players and parents about concussions and their prevention and treatment.

A baseline test makes a record of healthy brain function and balance, before a concussion.

Among the education and prevention curriculum, baseline cognitive testing allows physicians to establish the normal brain function and balance testing in a healthy state. If a child suffers a head injury or significant impact, post-injury testing can be performed and the results can be compared against the baseline test, to help determine the level of injury, helping parents, coaches and physicians determine recovery protocol and assess how long a student athlete should be sidelined during the healing process.

The baseline testing assesses cognitive functioning, reaction time, memory and how the subject processes information. Conducting the same testing some time after the baseline testing allows physicians to measure any changes in immediate recall and accuracy in recalling information. When an individual suffers a traumatic brain injury, there is a measurable change in how fast the concussed individual thinks, remembers and can concentrate; the worse the injury the more profound the change.

Teaching children to recognize concussion symptoms increases the opportunity for proper treatment.

Interpretations of some studies lead researchers to believe that girls are more prone to concussions than boys playing the same sports. Some theories suggest that girls’ necks are not as strong which could lead to easier concussions, while others think girls might be more likely to report injuries and symptoms to doctors and nurses than the boys who don’t want to claim an injury.  It is important to teach children what to look for and what a concussion is. Kristen in Ohio, the parent of a 10-year-old hockey player shared her experience in educating her child, “I kind of explained it to him that your brain is in your head and if it hits real hard on a solid spot it’s shaking in there and that’s what causes the damage,” Kristin said[i].

The symptoms of concussions that young athletes, parents and coaches can be aware of include dizziness, headache, nausea, balance, fatigue and sensitivity to light and noise. Symptoms can be less prevalent immediately following major impact and can increase in severity in the time following the injury event. If there is a time delay between injury and noticing symptoms, there can be a disconnect between the symptoms and their underlying cause, if it indeed was a head injury, therefore awareness and education about traumatic brain injury is important.[ii]

Researching and identifying baseline testing opportunities is suggested to parents of young athletes.

In educating and working to prevent concussions, experts suggest young athletes brains be protected by proper fitting equipment, skills and form training, and the use of baseline testing. Some schools and athletic organizations offer baseline cognitive testing for young athletes. In the event, however, your child(ren)’s school or sports club does not offer baseline testing, many local doctors might be available to measure and track cognitive brain functioning in healthy children to measure against follow-up testing in the event of a sports injury where there might be a concussion.

Michael V. Favia & Associates is a health law and litigation law firm focused on helping educate and prevent concussion injuries as well as representing injured clients. With offices conveniently located in the Chicago Loop, Northwest side and suburban meeting locations, you can schedule a discrete meeting with an attorney at your convenience and discretion. For more about Michael V. Favia & Associates’ professional licensing work, please visit FaviaLawFirm.com and feel free to “Like” the firm on Facebook and “Follow” the firm on Twitter.

[i] WBNS-10TV, Central Ohio, Baseline Testing: Critical Part of Concussion Care, by Tracy Townsend, Nov. 5, 2015.

[ii] See HNi above.

New tool can measure balance in concussion patients, Equilibrate is used in many settings

“Equilibrate is a proprietary, web-integrated, clinical assessment, therapy and data reference tool that combines real time objective upper and lower body measures with the judgment and experience of a clinical professional to improve patient outcomes.” – company website

It is easy to take balance for granted. Our sense of equilibrium, also called equilibrioception[i], is the physiological sense we need to stand and walk without falling over. Our eyes work with our ears and our body’s sense of where we are in space compared to other objects. Loss of balance, due to a failure in our balance systems can be rather upsetting and stressful. Balance functioning can be impaired by traumatic brain injury. Concussions are serious injuries because the upset to the balance systems can lead to more serious injuries when an individual cannot control their balance to walk, run or stand correctly.

Professional football players, college athletes and orthopedic surgery patients are more frequently treated with a new technology designed to measure an individual’s balance. The tool known as Equilibrate is made by a New York company, Balance Engineering. Since 2009, Equilibrate has been used to evaluate military combat personnel and elderly patients with falling risks. Balance Engineering chairman and co-founder, Jack Shickler, states “Balance indicates everything about what’s going on in your body.[ii]”

Healthcare professionals for a wide variety of purposes use Balance testing tools.

The Equilibrate software was an initial concept that Shickler thought would be useful for his daughter who owns a dance studio. If you were able to test an individual’s sense of balance, you might be better able to predict who would be a better candidate for dance instruction. The ideas for other uses quickly spread. Now competitive athletes and their trainers can better rely on Equilibrate testing to better judge a player’s balance and safety before deciding to allow them to return to practice or play after a concussion.

Hospitals are using this balance measuring software from coast to coast. According to Balance Engineering, the Equilibrate system meets evidence-based preventative medicine needs to correctly assess and treat patients with balance issues. Watch this promotional video to see more!

Significant money, time and effort is invested in the growth of the Equilibrate systems for balance.

Equilibrate’s parent, Balance Engineering, has invested more than $1M in its product. Based in New York State, the company sought to join the Albany Medical Center’s incubator program; “The incubator at Albany Med is among several accelerators in the region that are aiming to tie research to commercialization and create a regional support system for entrepreneurs.[iii]”

With dedicated investors and an infrastructure to foster further awareness and application of the Equilibrate system for balance measuring, we are likely to see more industries using the software tool to better treat and monitor football players, dancers, military troops, injured people and our elderly patients.

Michael V. Favia & Associates works with injured people who suffer from concussion symptoms due to a variety of sources, from accidental falls to sports injuries. To learn more about the risks involved with traumatic brain injury and how the law protects injured parties, please be in touch. With offices conveniently located in the Chicago Loop, Northwest side and suburban meeting locations, you can schedule a meeting with an attorney at your convenience. For more about Michael V. Favia & Associates, please visit the firm’s website and feel free to “Like” the firm on Facebook and “Follow” the firm on Twitter.

[i] www.TheMedSchoolProject.com, The Sixth Sense: Equilibrioception, by Marco Narajos, Nov. 26, 2011.

[ii] Albany Business Review, Startup focuses on patients with concussions, balance issues, by Chelsea Diana, Jun. 29, 2015.

[iii] Albany Business Review, Albany Med to open accelerator this spring, by Megan Rogers, Feb. 25, 2015.

Congress on Concussions: A review of recent press and activity on contact sports and brain injuries

“UNL physics professor Timothy Gay explains the physics of football in this file photo. “American football is an inherently violent sport,” he said Thursday in testimony on Capitol Hill. “That’s one of the reasons we love it.”” Article Link 

According to research calculations conducted by a physics professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, “professional football players have become so much bigger and faster than the amount of force at work along the line of scrimmage is now twice what it was when the NFL started.[i]” Professor Timothy Gay testified at a congressional hearing in Congress about the current research findings about concussions and in explaining the force of some hits in football. “A helmet-to-helmet collision at top speed is roughly the same as having a 16-pound bowling ball dropped on a player’s helmet from 8 feet up.[ii]” Is football dangerous? Yes, as professor, Gay says, “American football is an inherently violent sport,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons we love it.[iii]”

Congress appears to be urging the NFL to continue making changes to its policies with respect to concussions.

VIDEO LINK: ‘This Week’: Congress on Concussions. ABC News’ Jim Avila and ESPN’s Jeremy Schapp on the recent congressional hearing on sports concussions.[iv]

Sports and safety go together more frequently than peanut butter and jelly lately. The increase in research, published findings, and incidents of long-term injuries and damages from concussions are popular topics on the field, in the courtroom and on Capitol Hill. The video linked above mentions some notable facts about sports and traumatic brain injury:

• 250,000 kids get head injuries
• 6 million kids play tackle or flag football
• Players absorb 650 hits to the head every season.
• Forces each players hitting at full speeds exceeds ¾ a ton.
• Soccer players are the second most at risk of injury

Contrary to what many critics think, the intention behind many of the concussion lawsuits, research, publications and discussion is not about taking contact sports away, rather the goal is to teach players how to tackle safely and learn to avoid the most dangerous hits.

A change in the culture of contact sports like football is also a factor. Historically there has been what some call a “misplaced macho attitude” encouraging injured players to continue practicing and playing despite their concussion injuries. In the early days of brain injury research, less was known about the long-term effects of concussions. Today, doctors and organizations concerned with sports safety conduct extensive symposiums to share information and promote awareness.

What can or should Congress do? The video linked above suggests Congress should continue to nudge the NFL to make sure research is funded and advances are made in concussion education and prevention. The NFL can send a message that football can be played safely.

Michael V. Favia & Associates represent clients with sports injuries. With offices conveniently located in the Chicago Loop, Northwest side and suburban meeting locations, you can schedule a meeting with an attorney at your convenience. For more about Michael V. Favia & Associates, please visit the firm’s website and feel free to “Like” the firm on Facebook and “Follow” the firm on Twitter.

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[i] Omaha World-Herald: UNL professors take the lead at concussion hearings in Congress. By Joseph Morton, Mar. 14, 2014.

[ii] Omaha World-Herald quote from article cited above.

[iii] Omaha World-Herald quote from article cited above.

[iv] ABC News ‘This Week’: Congress on Concussions. Mar. 16, 2014.

Why the $765M agreed settlement of the consolidated NFL concussion cases remains on hold

Chicago attorney, Thomas Demetrio, agrees that more evidence must be seen to justify that the settlement will satisfy the needs of the injured players over the next many years.

U.S. District Judge, Anita B. Brody, wants more calculations to ensure just awards of damages for ex-NFL players in the settlement of the well-publicized consolidated concussion cases. Denying a motion to approve the $765M settlement on Tuesday, Brody, “noted that the class of approximately 20,000[i] could overwhelm the [settlement] fund, even if only 10 percent of its members [with cognitive injuries] file claims against the $675 million set aside to pay claims, working out to $337,500 per player,” as reported by Fox News.[ii] To receive part of the special injury compensation fund the former players must present medical evidence of their cognitive injury.

Judges in cases like this must ensure that a settlement amount is adequate and fair?

Settlement amounts are commonly disputed in litigation involving multiple defendants and the variety of damages they sustain. In this case the retired players have a variety of short and long-term physical and cognitive injuries. Some are deceased former players whose families will receive part of the settlement as authorized representatives. The settlement proceeds will be used to cover medical benefits for injured players, to fund medical and safety research, and for the expenses of litigation, including attorneys’ fees.

Judge Brody said in the court opinion, “in the absence of additional supporting evidence, I have concerns about the fairness and adequacy of the settlement.” The lawsuit in this case includes more than 4,500 retired NFL players who sued the league for traumatic brain and head injuries sustained during their employment[iii]. The exact amount of injured players qualified to take from the special $675M fund is unknown, so it is difficult to know if that fund will be adequate and fair.

Medical experts, economists and actuaries are expected to provide additional reasonable and necessary information the judge may review to evaluate if the agreed settlement will be enough to compensate the injured and families of deceased former players.

Many people think the NFL is getting off lightly given that the settlement funds are to be paid over a period of 20 years.

WATCH: Judge fears $765 million not enough 

The link above is to an ESPN video discussing reactions to Judge Brody’s decision. Tia McNeill, former wife of retired NFL player, Fred McNeill[iv], states that she is happy with the ruling because it allows another look at the qualifying factors for eligibility to receive the settlement. Chicago attorney, Thomas Demetrio, agrees that more evidence must be seen to justify that the settlement will satisfy the needs of the injured players over the next many years.

The Law Offices of Michael V. Favia represents injured people, including athletes. Michael V. Favia is an advisory board member and is active with the Sports Legacy Institute and its work in increasing awareness of and education to increase safety and prevent traumatic brain injuries among athletes.  With offices conveniently located in the Chicago Loop, Northwest side and suburban meeting locations, you can schedule a meeting with an attorney at your convenience. For more about Michael V. Favia & Associates, please visit the firm’s website and feel free to “Like” the firm on Facebook and “Follow” the firm on Twitter.

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[i] Terms of the settlement include an award of damages to any retired NFL player as of the date the settlement is accepted. See CBS Sports: NFL, former players reach settlement in concussion lawsuit. By Ryan Wilson, Aug. 29,2013.

[ii] Fox News: Ex-NFL players eye $765M settlement, even if they haven’t signed on. By Joshua Rhett Miller, Jan. 16, 2014.

[iii] CBS Sports: Judge rejects initial $765M NFL concussion lawsuit settlement. By Will Brinson, Jan. 14, 2014.

[iv] Frederick Arnold McNeill was a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League for 12 seasons from 1974-1985.

Press Release: Favia recognized in Leading Health Lawyers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 MICHAEL V. FAVIA SELECTED FOR “LEADING HEALTH LAWYERS”

Health And Injury Law And Litigation Attorney, Michael V. Favia Recognized By Chicago Lawyer Magazine In “Leading Health Lawyers”

CHICAGO – The list of Chicago’s “Leading Health Lawyers” published in the September 2013 Chicago Lawyer magazine recognizes Michael V. Favia, selected for the honor and designation appearing among “Leading Health Lawyers” in Chicago.

Commenting on the recognition, Favia stated, “Obviously, I am very honored to be recognized as a Leading Lawyer by my peers in the legal community.  I really do try being a role model in the way I practice. I work hard and assist my clients to achieve a desired result while remaining professional in every respect with my clients, opponents and assigned jurists.”

Favia is a member of the selective Leading Lawyer Network. He consistently earns an “AV” Preeminent Rating (highest possible for both legal ability and ethics) from the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell National Lawyer Rating Peer Review Board.

Favia is the principal and managing attorney at the Chicago area law firm of Michael V. Favia & Associates, representing individuals, professionals, small and large corporations, and professional groups and organizations.

Favia has more than 25 years of experience in health law and litigation and works in conjunction with a team of litigators, experts and investigators to advise and represent clients. He is experienced working on both sides of professional licensing matters, the prosecution and defense. He is a former Assistant Illinois Attorney General and Chief Prosecutor for the Illinois Dept. of Professional Regulation (“IDPR”), now known as the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (“IDFPR”).

Favia also owns a professional licensing consulting company where he and affiliated former prosecutors, investigators and professional licensing board members assist licensed professionals in their business, regulatory and IDFPR related matters.

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If you would like more information about Michael V. Favia & Associates, or to schedule an interview of Michael V. Favia, please contact the firm by calling (773) 631-4580 or send an email to favia@lawyer.com.

Sports injury puts high school football player in a coma

Not knowing if and when your son is going to return to a normal life must be the one of the toughest things a parent can withstand. Parents of Drew Williams, the collapsed Lane Tech High School football player faced such a grave accident last week. People at the scene reported it looked like Williams suffered from a seizure.

Football player in coma after collapsing at game.

“No one could have told me someone could end up in this condition from a high school football game,” said Drew’s older sister Andrea Williams from the hospital, where relatives from across the country gathered.”

The school posted a notice on the Principal’s Page Update section of its website: “On Friday, October 4, Drew Williams, senior football and baseball player, suffered head trauma during the football game. News accounts and other reports indicate he underwent surgery and remains hospitalized in critical condition.[i]” In addition to its statement, the school’s principal shared a link to another site where friends and families could make a donation to benefit the family of the injured student player[ii]. As of the writing of this article, the site raised over $43,000 to help the Williams family pay medical bills.

Commenting in the Chicago Tribune article published on the Williams story, Fred Mueller, former director of the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research, addressed the decrease in the number of deaths from traumatic brain injuries have decreased over time with new technologies, medical care and safer rules. Having said that, however, Muller added, “that major brain injuries have spied in recent years, reaching a high of 16 in 2011 before dropping to five last year. He said that is a reflection of the difficulty of getting rid of helmet-to-helmet contact.[iii]”

Williams’ sister: “”No one could have told me someone could end up in this condition from a high school football game,” said Drew’s older sister Andrea Williams from the hospital, where relatives from across the country gathered.”

Commenters on the Tribune article generally wished Williams and his family well and for a speedy recovery. A few people noted the assumption of risk in contact sports and offered additional sources of head injury on and off the playing field.

When instances such as this injury occur, many schools face parental and community concern and requests for stronger policies to more aggressively respond to urgent treatment incidents. For example, some people have suggested school-sponsored sporting event rules should increase the presence of physicians in addition to existing sports staff, if that is not already the policy.

How safe do you believe contact sports can be in our schools? How can we better educate players and coaches, or are we doing all we can? It is in response to unfortunate events when we, as communities, work together to bring change for the best interests of our youth.

Michael V. Favia’s practice includes personal injury cases and Favia offered this comment on the Williams injury: “This was a very unfortunate event, which will affect this young athlete as well as his family for a long time. As a member of the Chicago Concussion Coalition and local counsel to the Sports Legacy Institute it is one of my missions as an attorney and supporter of safe sports to educate young athletes, their families and coaches, etc. in an effort to help prevent future events like this in the future. While many of these types of accidents are inevitable, many can and should be prevented and that’s where the laws and sometimes lawsuits are needed to prevent unsafe avoidable sports injuries.”

Michael V. Favia & Associates represent clients with sports injuries. With offices conveniently located in the Chicago Loop, Northwest side and suburban meeting locations, you can schedule a meeting with an attorney at your convenience. For more about Michael V. Favia & Associates, please visit the firm’s website and feel free to “Like” the firm on Facebook and “Follow” the firm on Twitter.

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[i] Lane Tech High School: Lane Tech Athletics, Oct. 11 Principals Page Update. By Christopher A. Dignam, Ed.D., Principal.

[ii] Donations Website: Drew Williams Recovery Fund.

[iii] Chicago Tribune: Football player in coma after collapsing at game. By Annie Sweeny and John Keilman, Oct. 10, 2013.

Interview on Chicago Concussion Coalition and Sports Legacy Institute

Established in 2011, the Chicago Concussion Coalition (CCC) represents a network of 50 national athletic, health and social service organizations united under a common mission to work in partnership with coalition members to provide student athletes in greater Chicago with the best resources available reto protect them from sports related concussions and recurring injuries.

Do you know someone who plays contact sports such as football, hockey, soccer or baseball? How about someone who cheers for the team? Maybe you also know a veteran of U.S. military service. Ok, what do you think all these people have in common? They are the focus of traumatic brain injury / concussion research, education and policy change, by the Sports Legacy Institute (“SLI”) and the Chicago Concussion Coalition. Earlier this week Michael V. Favia appeared along with Ms. Caitlin McElroy, Field Associate, for the Sports Legacy Institute in Chicago, to share information about SLI and its mission, activities and various avenues for interested professionals to get involved.

Click/tap here to listen to an on demand broadcast of the interview on Law Talk Radio.

The mission of the Sports Legacy Institute is to advance the study, treatment and prevention of the effects of brain trauma in athletes and other at-risk groups. Highlights of the interview include a further detailed explanation of the SLI’s mission and the foundation of the organization by Christopher Nowinski and Dr. Robert Cantu. They founded SLI as a Boston-based 501(c)(3) in 2007 in response to new research and increased attention to traumatic brain injuries and the need for more research, education and to affect policy change.

Do remember playing sports as a kid, many years ago, and getting hit in the head? Many little league coaches, for example, were known for saying, “Hey, get up and walk it off and take your base.” Then, days later little Tommy’s facial expressions seemed a bit off and droopy and he started mixing up his words. Nowadays, some people think we are overly cautious about concussions. As more research is reported, the scariest thing doctors conclude is that we have only barely scratched the surface in knowing what we are dealing with in terms of cognitive impairment post trauma.

NFL lawsuits brought concussion/traumatic brain injuries to dinner table discussions nationwide.

When several former NFL players filed suit against numerous defendants for permanent injuries due to concussions during games, a few helmet manufacturers responded with efforts at creating high-tech safety helmets, which is a good thing. What people should remember is that helmets can help soften impacts and protect the skull, but the brain is floating in fluid and those impacts can still create grave danger to players.

Many advocacy groups also focus their attention on cheerleading safety and military service members who suffer from traumatic brain injury. Also discussed in the above-linked interview are current trends in concussion research, and how SLI and the Chicago Concussion Coalition are engaging community groups, schools and teams to share vital information. Attorney Michael V. Favia noted that injury attorneys looking for concussion experts should certainly learn more and be in touch with SLI’s Chicago Concussion Coalition to learn more.

The Law Offices of Michael V. Favia advise and represent clients in connection with concussions/traumatic brain injury. To contact the firm to speak to a lawyer you may dial (773) 631-4580. For more information about the firm’s practice areas, you can visit the website, Facebook and Twitter sites.

High-tech helmets and concussion safety: UW Health study

“Football helmets have evolved a great deal over the last 50 years. Current helmet designs are heavier, larger and designed to absorb and dissipate impact forces to a greater extent than earlier models used by football players.”

Football season starts soon and players are training to take the field. From the youngest players in grade school to the professional athletes taking the field before millions of fans, concussions are frequent discussion topics. As athletes who suffered traumatic brain injury (“TBI”) file more lawsuits, the manufacturers of safety equipment strive to offer new products that could help prevent concussion injury and damage. It makes sense that a properly fitting helmet could reduce impact to a player’s head, but what about the brain? Can high-tech helmets prevent concussions?

A recent article published in Athletic Business, a popular resource site for athletics professionals, focuses on vendors offering high-tech helmets.[i] Reviewing and commenting on research by Dr. Timothy McGuine and researchers at the University of Wisconsin, AB writers ask, “Is that new technology actually doing any good? New research would say no.” The article, published by UW Health Sports Medicine, “Sports Medicine Research: Helmets and Concussions,” reports the studies of Dr. McGuine and Dr. Alison Brooks.[ii]

The Vengeance DCT is the newest helmet from Schutt Sports. The “DCT” stands for Dual Compression Technology. The 4th Generation of TPU Cushioning contains durometers that are specifically designed to absorb both high-velocity and low-velocity impacts.

“UW Health Sports Medicine is leading a research study to assess the effect of helmet brand on the incidence of sport related concussion in high school football players.”[iii]

The AB article mentions helmets that incorporate new technology, such as one offered by Schutt Sports.[iv] The UW Health article mentions that there are, “…new helmets with claims of laboratory testing that their “helmets offer the maximum protection” or “reduce the risk of concussion.” Further, the article states, “Unfortunately, there is little, if any evidence that the use of a specific football helmet brand will make it more or less likely that a high school football player will sustain a SRC [Sport-related Concussion] while actually participating in high school football.”

Which manufacturer would you choose if you were the high school athletics professional? The helmets that perform better in a fixed testing environment could help players be safer, but to say there could be safety guarantees in an inherently violent contact sport would be a stretch. The “safer” helmets are one component of player safety. Another important element is player education. Learning how to tackle in safer manners can help prevent injury. Spotting concussion symptoms and reporting them to team physicians can also increase safety.

We look forward to following up with the UW Health researches when they compile and share the incidence of sports-related concussions among the three helmet brands the group is tracking. Michael V. Favia & Associates follows and reports on sports injury topics and trends. The firm represents injured persons including athletes suffering from traumatic brain injuries.

ABOUT THE FIRM: The Law Firm of Michael V. Favia & Associates is a successful General Civil Practice dedicated to providing personalized service and high quality representation for clients. With offices conveniently located in the Chicago Loop, Northwest side and suburban meeting locations, you can schedule a discrete meeting with an attorney at your convenience and discretion. Feel free to “Like” the firm on Facebook and “Follow” the firm on Twitter and you will be kept in the loop about upcoming events and news in the firm’s practice areas including personal injury, medical malpractice, worker’s compensation, complex civil litigation and professional regulation and licensing.

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[i] AB Newswire, July 19, 2013: Are High-Tech Football Helmets Any Safer?

[ii] UW Health: Sports Medicine Research: Helmets and Concussions

[iii] UW Health: Sports Medicine Research: Helmets and Concussions

[iv] Shutt Sports website: Vengeance DCT helmet

 

Concussion suit: NCAA athletes file suit and seek class action

Football fan, “Theresa Owens blurted in the stands, They just killed him!”[i] Derek Owens, injured playing football for the University of Central Arkansas, seeks damages against the NCAA for failure to prevent brain trauma. Along with Owens, co-plaintiff Alex Rucks, the Northwestern University offensive lineman joins the suit also complaining of post-traumatic brain injury (“TBI”)/concussion injuries.

Two former college football players launched a putative class action in Illinois federal court accusing the NCAA of negligence and carelessness in failing to take the appropriate steps to protect student-athletes from debilitating head injuries.

Traumatic brain injuries can occur in professional sports and on the local playground.

This suit is one of many that plaintiff athletes are filing these days. The word is getting around that many college and professional athletics and players associations are under fire for not preventing injuries and adequately warning players of safety concerns and traumatic brain injury. For example, many suggest a helmet can protect the skull, but not the brain.

Many parents and school officials should continue paying attention to the unfortunate examples of preventable traumatic brain injuries. When Billy from down the block is hit in the helmet during a little league game and is told to brush it off and take the base, Billy’s parents should be concerned. Examples like this are too common: Billy seemed just fine until a few days later when he started experiencing motor function problems and other TBI symptoms!

What do the doctors know about traumatic brain injury?

The communities of physicians who study and treat brain injury patients often concur that: As soon as they feel prepared to address traumatic brain injuries, more data and research becomes available. One of the problems with diagnosis and prevention of future concussions is the wide variance in symptoms experienced and reported by athletes with concussions. Also, many of the tests of cognitive functioning rely on the accuracy of the victims who report details of their conditions to their treating or team physicians.

Plaintiffs’ complaint states: “The NCAA knew or should have known that its actions or its inaction in light of the rate and extent of concussions reported and made known to the NCAA would cause harm to players in both the short- and long-term.” Further, “The NCAA’s conduct is particularly egregious in light of the fact that its policies and procedures – or lack thereof – leave student-athletes like plaintiffs and members of the [proposed] class inadequately protected from sustaining, monitoring and recovering [from] brain injuries at a particularly early and vulnerable point in their lives.”[ii]

Michael V. Favia & Associates regularly works with clients in the Chicago area who are unfortunately affected by personal injuries, some attributable to brain trauma. If you want to learn more about concussion-type injuries, please call Michael V. Favia & Associates by dialing 773-631-4580 or stop in to make an appointment at one of our convenient locations. Visit Michael V. Favia & Associates’ website for more information. You can also learn more by visiting the firm’s social media pages. “Follow” them on Twitter and “Like” them on Facebook today!

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[i] New York Times, November 29, 2011 by George Vecsey, College Athletes Move Concussions Into the Courtroom

[ii] Plaintiff’s complaint cited in Law360, November 29, 2011 by Allison Grande, NCAA Failed To Protect Players From Concussions: Suit