A former high school football player in Washington has sued the Bellevue School District in that state, claiming that the coaching and medical staff at Bellevue High School prematurely cleared him after he suffered a concussion in football practice to return to play. This allegedly led to a second, more damaging concussion.
The plaintiff in the lawsuit, which was filed last month in Superior Court of Washington for King County, was Colter Linford.
Linford alleged that he suffered a severe helmet-to-helmet impact on October 11, 2011 during a football practice at Bellevue High School. As a result of the collision, he experienced a headache, severe dizziness, and had problems running. Although Linford allegedly showed symptoms of a concussion, the lawsuit alleges that he was not properly diagnosed and cleared through concussion protocols. However, he was allowed to resume football activities.
Less than a week later, on October 17, Linford suffered a second helmet-to-helmet impact during blocking drills at football practice. After the second collision, he was allegedly suffering from dizziness, headaches, vision changes, and was disoriented. Linford was admitted to the ER, where a medical professional concluded that he had suffered two concussions within a week, according to Linford’s attorneys. He was then restricted from playing football. However, it may have been too late as Linford “has suffered from significant cognitive deficits and has experienced a severe decline in health and quality of life,” according to his attorneys.
Representing Linford are attorneys Fred Langer of Nelson Blair Langer Engle (NBLE) and John Layman and Nik Armitage of Layman Law Firm. NBLE noted in a press release that it co-authored the Lystedt Law, the 2009 law that required a medical professional’s clearance for return to play following a suspected head injury. Following the implementation of the Lystedt Law, similar legislation was implemented in all 50 states to prevent sports-related concussions.
The Lystedt Law contains three primary components:
Education: Informing youth athletes, their parents and guardians, and coaches of the dangers of concussion;
Remove from play: Because concussion is difficult to diagnose, policy should require an athlete who appears to have suffered a concussion be removed from practice or play.
Medical approval: The athlete must be cleared by a licensed health care professional before returning to play or practice.
