September is National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. Advocates and medical professionals hope to raise awareness of the serious and often life-changing effects of Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injuries—many of which require lifetime care and rehabilitation.
As discussed in an earlier blog, our own Thomas Henson visited the Community Matters program on The CW22 and myRDC 28 to talk about Traumatic Brain Injuries with host Bill LuMaye. In this segment, Mr. Henson looks at how law and public policy can heighten awareness of the risks surrounding Traumatic Brain Injury. You may view this segment of the show below:
In Part One of this three-part series, Henson examined the causes and symptoms of a TBI—as well as some common misconceptions. Part Three will discuss resources available to help those who have suffered a TBI as they recover.
Passed into law in 2011 and signed by Governor Beverly Purdue, the Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act—named after two North Carolina student-athletes who died in 2009 after suffering concussions—addresses students “participating in an interscholastic athletic activity” who exhibited “signs or symptoms consistent with concussion.”
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) requires member schools comply with the law. In turn, the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction audits schools to ensure compliance.
To comply with the law, schools must distribute Concussion Information Sheets to athletes, parents, and legal custodians—as well as coaches, trainers, first responders, school nurses, and volunteers. Schools must also collect signed Concussion Statement Forms from those individuals.
Penalties for non-compliance include a $1,000 fine for the school and a $500 fine for a venue that does not post emergency action plans.
We Can Help
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident through no fault of your own, call the experienced North Carolina Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys at Henson Fuerst today at 919-781-1107 or complete a free initial consultation form.
When you call, you will speak with one of our experienced Raleigh Serious Injury attorneys. They will investigate every detail of your situation at no cost to you—and fight hard to protect your rights. At Henson Fuerst, you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front—and you owe us nothing unless we recover for you.
