Having a child who isn’t perfectly healthy can be challenging for parents. It can also be challenging for children. In fact, children will often downplay symptoms of an injury, such as a concussion, so that they can continue to participate in various activities. Parents who have children who have suffered a head injury should be wary of allowing the child to play sports and participate in other activities before being evaluated by a doctor, even if the child claims the symptoms aren’t that bad.

On behalf of Joseph Caprara of CBLAW posted in Brain Injuries on Monday, September 14, 2015.

Having a child who isn’t perfectly healthy can be challenging for parents. It can also be challenging for children. In fact, children will often downplay symptoms of an injury, such as a concussion, so that they can continue to participate in various activities. Parents who have children who have suffered a head injury should be wary of allowing the child to play sports and participate in other activities before being evaluated by a doctor, even if the child claims the symptoms aren’t that bad.

Some children, especially teenagers, have invested so much of their time into their chosen sports, they are considered die hard athletes. While their determination to play and be a productive member of their team is admirable, it can lead to them jeopardizing their health if they feel that they will let their teammates down by not playing because of an injury.

The problem that comes into the picture when children downplay symptoms after an injury is that the injury can actually be life-threatening. Last year, a rugby player died after she suffered two concussions within one week. The inquest after her death showed that the 17-year-old girl didn’t understand the seriousness of having a headache after she suffered a hit to the head during a game.

It is always better for a child to sit out a game or practice if there is any cause for concern. If a child has suffered a brain injury that wasn’t properly treated, the parents might opt to explore their options for seeking compensation if the injury led to other health complications or death.

Source: Ottawa Sun, “Kids tend to downplay concussion symptoms: Doctor,” Julienne Bay, Sep. 11, 2015