Protecting Kids from Concussion | David Abeyta
All of us have an obligation to protect athletes from concussion: know the signs and take action if you suspect a brain injury.
As a society, we have become more and more aware of the danger posed by concussions. But did you know that Washington was at the forefront of protecting young athletes from the dangers of multiple concussions? In 2009, Washington state Governor Christine Gregoire signed into law the toughest “return-to-play” law in the country — The Zackery Lystedt Law (RCW 28a.600.190).
In 2006, 13-year-old Zackery Lystedt hit his head while making a tackle for his junior high school football team. An injury time out was called, but he returned to the game minutes later. After the game, Zack collapsed, and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center. He had suffered a severe brain injury. He spent 93 days in the hospital, three months in a coma, and underwent multiple surgeries.
Because of Zackery and his family’s efforts, Washington passed the first law in the country law protecting young athletes from the danger of concussions. Not only was it the first in the country, it remains one of the strictest return-to-play laws in the country. The law, known as the Zackery Lystedt law, requires the four following guidelines be met:
- Each school district’s board of directors must work with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) to develop the guidelines and other pertinent information and forms to inform and educate coaches, youth athletes, and their parents and/or guardians of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury including continuing to play after a concussion or head injury;
- Each year every youth athlete and the athlete’s parent/guardian must fill out a concussion and head injury form before starting practice or participating in games;
- An athlete that is suspected of having a concussion must be removed from competition; and
- The athlete cannot return to play until the athlete has been evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and treatment of concussions and receives written clearance to return to play.
With many young people participating in sports year-round, coaches, teachers, parents, and athletes need to be aware of the danger of concussions. Multiple concussions can cause a lifetime of symptoms. For more information on youth concussions in sports visit the “concussion” tab on the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov.
If you or a loved one has sustained a head injury and you have questions regarding the Lystedt Law, call Abeyta Nelson Injury Law to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. There is never a charge to discuss your questions with us, and no fee unless we win your case. The sooner we are involved, the more help we can give you.
-blog written by attorney David Abeyta, Abeyta Nelson Injury Law