Traumatic Brain Injury Causes Death of Teen Football Player

Elijah Gorham was a 17-year-old student athlete with a heart of gold. His friends and family were always drawn to his charismatic and caring nature. Whenever a student had a problem, he was always the first person to offer a solution with a winning smile. One of the things he loved to do was play football.

During a football game this September, Elijah fell to the ground while trying to catch the ball in the end zone. After the opposing team’s defender fell on top of him, Elijah remained down in the end zone well after the play. He was eventually transferred over to the sideline, where he was treated until an ambulance arrived. From there he was transferred to a local hospital to receive medical treatment.

According to Elijah’s coach, he had to undergo surgery in an attempt to address his injury. Although the surgery appeared to be successful, Elijah’s friends and family soon learned that he had passed away in the middle of October. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later revealed that Elijah passed away from multisystem organ failure, cardiac arrest, a traumatic brain injury, and accidental trauma. Since news of Elijah’s passing, grief counselors have been present at his former school to help students cope with the grieving process.

How common are traumatic brain injuries in sports?

Very. In fact, sports injuries are one of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries. One of the most common types of traumatic brain injuries sustained by athletes in sports is a concussion. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that people experience when they either take a blow to the head or their body experiences an extreme jolt.

Because concussions do not include obvious signs of an injury like an exposed laceration or bleeding, they are often overlooked. Yet, concussions are just as dangerous because of their ability to change the way a person functions.

What are some of the sports where concussions are common?

Some of the sports where concussions are a common traumatic brain injury include:

• Football
• Soccer
• Hockey
• Boxing
• MMA
• Basketball
• Cycling
• Horseback riding

But these are not the only causes. Any sport where there is a risk of hitting one’s head – either through sustained play or by falling – can pose a risk. A volleyball player or gymnast can sustain a traumatic brain injury, too. And repetitive injuries to the brain could lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in any athlete.

Why are concussions so dangerous for children and teen athletes?

Concussions are a dangerous type of traumatic brain injury for child and teenage athletes to sustain because of the damage it can cause to the adolescent’s brain in the future. Child and teen athletes are more likely to endure a concussion and take a longer amount of time to recover than adults.

This is because the adolescent’s brain is not finished developing, and adolescents who have already sustained a concussion or traumatic brain injury are more susceptible to another one. For example, experts assert that there were 69 percent of athletes with a possible concussion that continued to play with concussion symptoms. Even worse, there were 40 percent of athletes who stated that their coach was unaware of the athlete possibly having a concussion.

What are the consequences of recurrent concussions?

The more a child and teenager sustains recurrent concussions, the more likely that athlete will endure post-concussion syndrome (PCS). Post-concussion syndrome is an occasion where the recovery period of a concussion lasts longer than the typical recovery period, which is weeks and months after the injury.

Some of the symptoms of PCS include having problems with memory and concentration, dizziness, headaches, blurry vision, and sensitivity to noise and lights. While the symptoms of a concussion disappear within seven to ten days after the injury, there are occasions where the symptoms continue for a year or longer.

How can concussions be prevented in sports?

One of the actions that help prevent concussions in sports is providing the right type of equipment. Child and teen athletes should be provided equipment that fits properly and is well-maintained, age appropriate, and certified for use. Sports officials should also make sure that child and teen athletes are avoiding unsafe actions while playing their recreational sport. Actions such as striking another athlete in the head or intentionally trying to hurt another athlete should be avoided.

A serious head injury can have a lasting effect on you and your loved ones. Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., has helped families throughout Maryland obtain the help they need after a serious accident. We invite you to contact a Maryland head injury lawyer by calling 410-730-7737 or completing our contact form and scheduling a free consultation.