Personal injury cases come in many forms. Some injuries vary from minor accidents to life altering ones. Minor injuries require brief medical treatments, but severe injuries can require months/years of medical treatment and physical therapy. Personal injury attorneys help clients through these difficult times, have the experience to handle these types of cases, and work on making sure clients are not left with thousands of dollars or more in medical bills. Attorneys do extensive discovery and research when it comes to cases. When discovery is being done, sometimes they end up finding that the case is not only a personal injury matter. An example would be a personal injury and medical malpractice case.
Sadly, 18-year-old Donovan Hill became paralyzed after playing Lakewood Pop Warner football in 2011. He was undergoing a routine surgery related to his paralysis when a medical error caused complications during surgery, sending him into a coma and ultimately claiming his life. Hill’s paralysis in 2011 sparked dialogue about player safety in youth football.
Hill was 13-years-old when he attempted a head-first tackle against an opponent during a football game. The tackle caused a spinal cord injury, resulting in his paralysis. According to the lawsuit his family filed in 2013, Hill’s head-first tackle was the result of improper training from a football coach who was not certified on safety techniques. Pop Warner Football advertises its commitment to player safety. The lawsuit detailed other alarming allegations, including a coach scolding Hill after becoming concerned over an injury from tackling head-first.
The lawsuit was settled this past January and was rumored to be for more than $1 million. Pop Warner also settled another lawsuit after a former player who suffered concussions and committed suicide years later. An autopsy revealed the former player suffered from brain damage after numerous hits to the head, leading to depression and mental health issues.
Many sports have been experiencing player safety issues in recent years. Headers were recently banned in United States youth soccer amidst concussion concerns. In 2006, youth softball began requiring facemasks on batting helmets, but now there is discussion over whether facemasks should be required for infielders as well. Youth baseball, has no facemask requirement for hitters, but every new injury reignites discussion.
The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker believes in taking safety precautions for participants in youth sports. A life-changing injury, such as one suffered by Donovan Hill, can lead to devastating effects and extensive medical bills. If the injury is the result of negligence, injury victims have legal recourse to pursue damages against the negligent parties. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured as the result of negligence, contact us today at (800) 333-0000 for a free consultation. We can help you in these difficult times. Visit our website at larryhparker.com for more information.
