Thoughts on this release.

[scrounge]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

What an odd post. I'm not familiar with the specifics of the football concussion rule, but assuming it's nearly identical to the soccer one, it's my opinion that the Ohio law requires, at minimum, that the referees comply with the concussion rule. Failure to do so may in fact cause you to lose your liability shield.

The dumb part of the law is making my few second determination of a possible concussion more important than a considered evaluation by a medical professional.

I don't think the law does that in any way whatsoever...quite the contrary, it requires us to be vigilant and, if we see signs or symptoms, to make sure the young man/woman gets to that medical professional for a full, medical evaluation. No one is asking or implying that officials make a diagnosis. And the law offers a pretty strong liability shield - it's not just a reasonable effort standard, it's protection except for wanton or willful violation of the law, a pretty high standard.

The only thing I would change about the law is to allow same-day return if written clearance is obtained by a physician (not just a trainer but an actual MD). I just don't think we're talking about very many cases where that would apply, though.

[Altor]

Originally Posted by scrounge

No one is asking or implying that officials make a diagnosis.

No, that's the problem. Coaches and officials are told that any suspicion requires removal from the contest AND a even a full diagnosis by a doctor cannot legally remove this suspicion.