How Does California Handle Concussions in Youth Sports?

Furth Intro: What is CTE

In recent years, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has become a growing concern for athletes, parents, coaches, and healthcare professionals. The connection between repeated head trauma and long-term brain damage is no longer just a theory; it is a documented reality. With many professional athletes speaking out about their experiences and new research shedding light on the impact of sports-related brain injuries, there is now more awareness about the risks of concussions, especially in youth sports. California, recognizing the serious consequences of head injuries, has taken legislative steps to better protect young athletes from concussions and possible long-term effects like CTE. This article will explore the following: 

• CTE overview
• Concussions in California youth sports
• Legal protections for the care for young athletes

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, more commonly known as CTE, is a progressive brain disease found in individuals with a history of repeated head injuries. These include concussions and sub-concussive hits that do not cause immediate symptoms often found in sports such as football, boxing, soccer, and hockey.

CTE is caused by repeated trauma to the brain, which leads to the buildup of an abnormal protein called tau. Over time, this buildup can cause areas of the brain to deteriorate, leading to significant cognitive, emotional, and behavioral issues. The condition is degenerative, meaning it worsens over time, and unfortunately, it can only be definitively diagnosed after death.

Symptoms of CTE

The symptoms of CTE typically do not appear until years or even decades after the last brain injury. These symptoms can include:

• Memory loss
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
• Emotional instability, such as depression or anxiety
• Impulse control problems
• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• Aggression and irritability
• Dementia-like symptoms in advanced stages
  

What makes CTE so troubling is that it often develops silently, with signs or symptoms appearing long after a person has stopped playing sports. As a result, prevention, especially among young athletes, is critical.

How California Handles Concussions in Youth Sports

AB 2127: Protecting High School Athletes

Assembly Bill 2127, enacted in 2014, focuses on public and private high school sports programs. It outlines a strict process for identifying, treating, and managing concussions in student athletes.

Under this law:

• A student with a possible concussion will be removed from physical activity.
• That student may not return to play until they have received proper written clearance from a licensed healthcare provider who is trained in concussion evaluation and management.
• The that student will go through a graduated return-to-play protocol over a minimum of seven days.
• Additionally,  football programs must limit full-contact practices to two practices per week during the season, and each practice cannot exceed 90 minutes.

These restrictions, enacted by AB 2127, aim to minimize unnecessary exposure to repetitive head impacts, which are a leading contributor to the development of CTE.

AB 2007: Extending Rules Beyond School-Based Sports

California passed AB 2007 in 2016, recognizing the large number of young athletes who participate in extracurricular activities such as club sports, community leagues, and leisure leagues. This bill mandated that all child sports organizations operating in the state adhere to the same concussion safety regulations. 

Under AB 2007:

• Coaches and administrators must complete yearly concussion and head injury education.
• Parents and guardians must sign a concussion and head injury information sheet before their child can participate.
• The youth athlete must not play if suspected of having a concussion.
• A qualified healthcare provider must clear the athlete, and the athlete must then complete a step-by-step return-to-play plan before returning.
  

The Role of Education and Prevention

A critical aspect of California’s approach to handling concussions is education. Parents, coaches, athletes, and school officials are all encouraged and in fact required to understand the symptoms and risks associated with concussions.

Recognizing Concussion Symptoms Early

Early identification can make a major difference. The most common signs of a concussion include:

• Headache
• Confusion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood changes
  

If a child shows any of these signs after a hit to the head or body, a medical professional should evaluate them immediately. Continuing to play through a concussion greatly increases the risk of long-term injury and can even be life-threatening in some cases.

Shifting the Culture Around Sports Injuries

In the past, athletes were often praised for “toughing it out” after taking a hit. Today, that attitude is changing. California’s laws are changing the culture to prioritize safety over performance. Coaches must respect medical decisions, and parents are more empowered to advocate for their children’s health.

How KAASS LAW Can Help

At KAASS LAW, we understand how deeply concerning it can be when a child suffers a head injury while playing sports. If your child sustained a concussion due to improper handling by a coach, school, or youth sports organization, you may have grounds to take legal action.

Our team can help by:

• Investigating whether concussion protocols were followed
• Reviewing the facts of the incident, including witness statements and medical records
• Connecting your family with experts in sports medicine and neurology
• Holding schools or organizations accountable if they failed to uphold California’s concussion safety laws
• Seeking financial compensation for medical bills, long-term care, pain and suffering, or emotional distress