Former high school quarterback sues Illinois High School Association

 

The concussion litigation that has plagued practically every college and professional sports organization has now reached the high school level. The Illinois High School Association has been sued by a former high school quarterback for allegedly not doing enough to protect former and current players from head injury.

 

To this point, there has been little legal action taken against governing bodies at the high school level, but Daniel Bukal, former player for Notre Dame College Prep in Chicago, is seeking to use his lawsuit change the way the IHSA handles concussions. He himself sustained a number of concussions while he played (from 1999-2003) and now suffers from migraines and significant memory trouble. He didn’t play at any higher levels.

 

The suit claims that when Bukal played, no protocols for hits to the head were in place. It also asserts that, while the association has made some improvements in the past several years, the protocols are still deficient. It calls on the IHSA, which oversees 800 high schools, to strengthen its rules about how to deal with head injury and to better monitor concussions, including using mandatory baseline testing.

 

This could very well spark a trend among other high school athletics bodies. If so, high school sports would be heading for a more head safety guidelines and better equipment soon, as their accountability to parents and players increases.

 

*Scientists have no conclusive evidence as to whether or how the reduction of g-forces during impacts reduces the number or degree of concussions and head injuries. GelDefender products provide supplemental padding as well as cooling and comfort benefits when used with helmets and caps. Participants in activities in which head impacts can occur should always use tested and approved helmets for protection. However, no helmet or supplemental padding can protect the user from all serious head or neck injuries that can result from impacts.

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