Concussion Diagnoses for Adolescents Have Skyrocketed

July 22, 2016

Concussion diagnoses among adolescents doubled between 2007 and 2014, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco.

Researchers analyzed the health insurance claims of nearly nine million Americans and found that one-third of concussion diagnoses were for children between ages 10 and 19. There was a 243 percent increase in concussion diagnoses for children age 10 to 14, and a 187 percent increase for children between the ages of 15 and 19.

It is unclear if these increases in concussion diagnoses are the result of more concussion injuries or increased diagnosis of concussions.

Causes of Concussions in Adolescents

The study was not able to identify the causes of these adolescent concussions, but researchers think physical activities like playing sports or bicycling are the main causes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that some 248,000 kids and teens go to the emergency room every year for a concussion they sustained during sports or recreational activities.

Awareness of sports concussions has grown recently. Players as well as parents and coaches are now receiving far more education on how to spot potential concussions and react to them.

All 50 states and Washington, D.C. now have laws that mandate concussion evaluations for adolescent athletes. These “return-to-play” laws state that an athlete must be pulled from a game if it is suspected that he or she suffered a concussion, and he must receive a doctor’s permission before returning to sports activity.

Experts say that the increase in concussion diagnoses is a positive thing, because it shows that people across the nation are recognizing the severity of concussions.

If your child has suffered a concussion, you may be entitled to compensation for their injury. The Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Phillips Law Group will fight for justice for your family. Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation.

Call 1-800-706-3000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation.