The death of three teenagers in one week has led many people to question just how safe our teens are while playing a contact sport.
Isaiah Langston died on Monday morning after collapsing before a game on Sept. 26. According to reports, he had a blood clot in his brain. In Alabama, Demario Harris Jr., collapsed on the field after making a tackle during a game. He was pronounced dead on Sunday. Harriss father said in a Facebook post that his son had a brain hemorrhage that was caused by a hit he took during the game.
If your child has been injured or died after playing a contact sport contact a respected Cincinnati personal injury lawyer near you today for a free legal consultation.
Finally, a New York teen died at a local hospital after he was taken there following a hit by an opponent during a varsity game. Tom Cutinella died from a head wound.
Although it is unknown whether or not any of these players had conditions that could have led to their deaths, the series of events has brought to light the dangers of playing football. Just this year, a massive class-action lawsuit was settled by former NFL players who alleged that the head trauma they sustained during their careers has substantially changed their lives. A recent issue of Time magazine featured Chad Stover, another teen player who died last season after suffering a traumatic brain injury during a game.
According to Reuters, eight high school football players died last year from injuries to the brain and spine injuries directly related to playing the sport. Additionally, nine other students died from indirect causes, such as heat stroke. On average, over the past decade, three high school football players have died each year due to a game-related injury.
At O’Connor, Acciani & Levy we understand how devastating it can be to lose a loved one due to such traumatic accidents. Our lawyers strongly believe that when an organization fails to protect players from injury, they should be held accountable for their actions. Each year hundreds of students are injured while playing a sport they love. If someone you love has been injured or wrongfully killed in a sports accident, we can help you fight for your rights.