Concussion and TBI Risk Management: How Colleges and Universities Can Protect Their Athletes and Avoid Liability

Concussions and sub-concussive forces in collegiate sports are making headlines in the legal world. As knowledge of the potential long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) continues to develop, former athletes’ recent would-be class actions against the National Football League, National Hockey League, Fédération Internationale de Football Association, and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) may be signaling a new kind of mass tort. Both the potential severity of the alleged injuries and the large population of potential plaintiffs—men and women alike—may make sports TBIs a litigation magnet.

This webinar will examine:

• What is Known About TBI. We will provide a “Concussions 101” course on the biomechanics and physiology of TBI; the “state of the science”; and approaches to TBI prevention, diagnosis, and management.
• The Legal Landscape. We will survey the TBI litigation landscape, including the status of would-be class actions against the NCAA and other sports governing bodies, and trends in individual lawsuits against colleges and universities.  We will also discuss common legal issues—including causes of actions, defenses, and proposed remedies—that have arisen so far.
• Risk Management. We will discuss steps that colleges and universities can take to reduce risk, including discussion of current practices, development and implementation of new TBI policies and procedures, and possible new protective equipment.  We will also discuss possible proactive measures  to address retrospective risks arising from the alleged long-term effects of TBI that may already have allegedly taken place.

Outside Panelists
Dr. Gerard Gioia is the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Neuropsychology at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he directs the Safe Concussion Outcome Recovery & Education (SCORE) Program. He is also the team neuropsychologist for the NHL’s Washington Capitals and the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.

Joe Vossen, JD, is Associate Risk Management Counsel at United Educators in Bethesda, MD, where he advises K-12 schools, colleges, and universities on risk management practices and techniques.

There is no fee to attend this webinar.