Ryan Zavodnick | June 10, 2020 | Personal Injury
Arena football became very popular over the past few decades. It originated in the early 1980s. As an indoor football game, arena football utilizes the same size arena as standard hockey games.
Games were played at a faster pace and usually had higher scores than traditional football games. One of the longest-running arena football leagues was the Arena Football League. Unfortunately, the AFL ended in 2019 when the League filed for bankruptcy relief.
How Much Did Philadelphia Soul Coach and Team Players Earn?
The Philadelphia Soul was one of the remaining six teams of the AFL. The exact amounts that coaches and players earned before the League ended is unknown.
However, one site estimates that employees of the Philadelphia Soul earned an average of $69,836 per year. Top-paid employees earned $80,083 annually.
Arena Football Comes to an End
In November 2019, the Arena Football League filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. Businesses filing under Chapter 7 close and liquidate. At the time of the bankruptcy filing, there were six teams – Philadelphia, Albany, Columbus, Atlantic City, Washington, and Baltimore.
The League commission stated that it was unable to raise enough capital to continue and grow the League. The AFL was one of the longest-running arena football leagues. It began in 1987.
Contact Sports Can Cause Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Even though arena football was played indoors on a small field, the players had the same risks of brain injuries as players in other contact sports. Studies have looked at the impact of repeated brain injuries for football players and other contact sports players. The results are alarming.
Repeated head traumas are thought to cause chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Unfortunately, CTE is only diagnosed after studying the brain during an autopsy. CTE is a rare condition, but it has been found in the brains of numerous individuals who participated in contact sports, including football players.
CTE is a degenerative brain disease, which means that the condition and symptoms grow worse over time. The symptoms of CTE are likely to develop over years or decades when the person experiences repeated head trauma.
Some of the symptoms of CTE include:
- Depression or apathy
- Cognitive impairment
- Emotional instability
- Impulsive behavior
- Substance misuse
- Short-term memory loss
- Suicidal thoughts
- Impaired executive function
Other Brain Injuries Common in Contact Sports
CTE is not the only brain injury that is common in contact sports. Individuals who play contact sports are subjected to repeated physical hits. During those physical hits, the person is at risk for numerous types of brain injuries.
Some of the common brain injuries identified in contact sports include, but are not limited to:
- Concussions
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Intracranial Hematomas (collection of blood within the skull)
- Cerebral Contusions (brain bruises)
- Skull Fractures
- Hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding in the brain)
- Edema (swelling of the brain)
- Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)
The symptoms of a brain injury vary. A person may sustain severe brain trauma without losing consciousness.
Likewise, traumatic brain injuries do not result in outward signs of injury. A severe brain injury can occur from a closed brain injury.
Closed head injuries occur when the brain sustains injuries from inside the brain. The brain can strike the skull in multiple areas when the person’s body is struck, causing the brain to move around within the skull violently striking the skull in one or more places. Blunt force trauma to the head can also result in closed head injuries.
The consequences of a brain injury can be life-changing. A person may suffer from permanent disabilities and impairments. Also, a person’s chance of developing other diseases may increase, including Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease.
What Should You Do After a Head Injury?
Seek immediate medical attention for a head injury. Only a medical professional can accurately diagnose the extent of the injury. Depending on the circumstances, a doctor may perform several diagnostic tests.
Treatments for brain injuries depend on the type and severity of the brain injury. Medications and rest may be sufficient to treat a mild concussion. However, severe brain injuries may require brain surgery, medically-induced coma, and intensive rehabilitation therapy.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim for a Brain Injury
If another party is responsible for your brain injury, you might be entitled to compensation for your damages. Brain injuries can result in high medical costs, personal care costs, and loss of income. Additionally, a person’s quality of life may be significantly diminished.
After you receive medical treatment for your brain injury, contact a brain injury attorney near you to discuss your legal rights and the steps you should take regarding a personal injury claim.
Contact Our Brain Injury Law Firm in Philadelphia Today To Get Help With Your Case
To learn more and get the help you deserve, call Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers at (215) 875-7030 or contact us online.
You can also visit our law firm at 123 S Broad St #1220, Philadelphia, PA 19109.