Category Archives: Other Sports
US Lacrosse Supports ‘Youth Sports Concussion Act’
Add US Lacrosse to the list of organizations now backing the proposed “Youth Sports Concussions Act.”
A majority of states have either already passed, or are in the process of introducing, legislation targeted at reducing youth sports concussions. Now, at the federal level, a bill sponsored by Congressman Tom Udall (D-N.M.) is making its way to the U.S. senate. The bill’s mandate seeks to empower “both the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Federal Trade Commission to take stronger actions in guaranteeing equipment safety standards and claims by sporting goods manufacturers.”
Scheduled for public release by January 2014 is a National Academies report on sports-related concussions that, among its other findings, includes “product safety standards that equipment manufacturers will need to consider for voluntary adoption.” This new legislation is intended to extend the impact of the report’s findings.
A major concern of many sports organizations has been the accuracy of statements made by sporting goods manufacturers. Does the manufacturer accurately represent “the protective benefits and limitations of equipment to mitigate injury and risk” as stated in its marketing materials, advertising campaigns, and other disclaimers?
Said Ann Carpenetti at US Lacrosse, “We have invested extensively in the area of injury research and prevention in the sport of lacrosse, and having sport specific equipment that performs to meet a protective standard is critically important to ensure player safety on the field.”
The passage of this bill will allow “the Federal Trade Commission to take stronger action against manufacturers who make false and deceptive product safety claims.”
To learn more about US Lacrosse, go to – http://www.uslacrosse.org/Home.aspx
Texas House Close to Sending Sports Concussion Insurance Pilot Program to Senate
In a state where football is practically a way of life, one Texas legislator has drafted a proposal that would supplement insurance already offered by school districts. This is just another step that reinforces what many feel is part of the changing landscape in youth sports—in this case, how to arm parents with the resources to offset the costs of properly diagnosing and treating head trauma.
The pilot program as proposed by Brownsville Democratic Rep. Eddie Lucio III focuses on “supplemental concussion insurance for boys who play football and girls who play soccer.”
Texas school districts currently offer insurance to students participating in sports. However, Lucio’s proposal “gives parents the option of buying extra insurance for ‘around $5.’” And would guard against “concussion-related symptoms (that) sometimes don’t appear until after students graduate and lose their district insurance.”
The house version of this bill passed on May 7th.
If approved by the Senate, the University Interscholastic League and the Texas Education Agency would administer the policies which would be underwritten by private companies. Both the UIL and the TEA would also select the districts to benefit from this pilot, which Lucio hopes is “a cross-section from around the state.”
Posted in Football, General, High School, Other Sports, Products
Tagged bill, concussion, insurance, proposal
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What Should Matter …
Eugene Egdorf of the Lanier Law Firm in Houston doesn’t hide the fact that he sits on the plaintiff side. So when we asked him late last month for comment about a story we were doing for Concussion Litigation Reporter about NFL players withdrawing from the concussion litigation against the league to pursue NFL contracts, he shared his overall opinion on the controversial litigation.
“What should matter are the actual relevant facts:
“1. The NFL had concussion data it hid from the players;
“2. There are dozens of dead and disabled former players all suffering from brain injuries attributable to football;
“3. The science on cause and effect is indisputable.
“4. Some of the scientists who conducted research on the issues for the NFL are so appalled that their work was hidden that they are coming forward on behalf of the players; and
“5. The NFL’s ‘defense’ is centered on the provisions of collective bargaining agreements – not science or the facts of the case.”
Posted in Football, Litigation, Other Sports, Professional
Tagged evidence, litigation, opinion
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