Doctor: New Law Important for Management of Brain Injuries

Boston, MAA new law in Massachusetts will require those involved with high school sports to undergo training in the recognition and management of brain injuries.

span itemprop="image" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" style="display:block">Some have criticized the fast implementation of the law, but Dr. David P. Mooney, director of the trauma program at Boston Children's Hospital, wrote in the Boston Globe that the process needed to be expedited in order for the guidelines to be put in place for the upcoming fall season.

According to Mooney, nearly one in 10 sports injuries are concussions, which makes athletics the second highest cause of brain injuries for people between the ages of 15 and 24, just behind automobile accidents.

Often times concussions are misdiagnosed at sporting events, and athletes are sent back into the game before they should, writes Mooney.

Mooney also says that the importance of protecting young athletes from brain injuries with the help of the recently passed legislation outweighs concerns regarding the manner in which it was implemented.