Football and Other High School Sports Injuries

A recent news report indicated that since the year 2009 a total of 39 high school football players have died during practice or during games. These football-related deaths come in the forms of head-on collisions, heat exhaustion, impact play and unsafe conditions. When your child wants to play high school football or another sport, what should you do?

As parents we foster the abilities of our children to compete and participate in sports events and extracurricular activities. We take pride that they want to show off their skills and engage with others, show team spirit and develop skills that could well bring them scholarships or other professional opportunities. With high school cuts and budgetary restrictions, however, are we confident that our kids are in the best hands and equipped with the best tools when it comes to sports?

In September of this year, a high school senior was killed in a head-on collision with another player at a high school football game. The teen was wearing a helmet, meant to protect. What happened? This boy broke his neck and died within ten minutes of impact. Schools should always advocate safe play, and sports should be conducted by professional coaches or instructors who are specialists in that athletic area. Coaches should know how to handle an emergency situation, and be proactive in their attempts to provide a safe environment for all. Here are some things to question or keep in mind if your teen wants to play football or other sports at school:

• Keep your insurance up to date by making sure your child is covered for sports-related injuries.
• Ask about the school policy for sports-related injuries.
• Read the fine print on the contract for your child to play sports. What? No contract? That should raise a red flag.
• If you do not understand a clause or paragraph in the contract, seek assistance from your Manhattan attorney who can help you decipher the key points you need to know before you sign anything.
• Ask about the credentials of the coach. Is the coach a fill-in, or does he have extensive experience working with teens?
• Observe the coach at games. Is he or another assistant texting or otherwise not paying attention to what’s on the field or the court?

We see injuries among high school players, but kids of all ages can put themselves in the line of injury if they are not careful. Do what you need to do to protect and ensure your child’s safety at school so they can engage in their favorite sports safely for years to come.