Recently in Brain Injury in Boston:

Last week, former Patriots linebacker Junior Seau, died in what was an apparent suicide at his home in Oceanside, Ca.

Many commentators are now questioning whether Seau’s apparent suicide may be attributable to the head injuries he suffered during his 20 years in the NFL, the Boston Globe reports. If the speculation turns out to be true, could Seau’s family bring a wrongful death suit against the NFL?

Many brain injuries among children can leave large bruises or even head wounds big enough to require stitches, as some Boston parents may have experienced. But most minor head injuries do really not need a CT scan, which some experts might agree are used too frequently to check on head injuries that are of no risk to the brain.

According to The Boston Globe, a study by the journal Pediatrics indicates the use of CT scans could be reduced by half for kids who have suffered moderate injuries that cause a concussion or vomiting with just careful monitoring for a couple of hours in the emergency room.

The Boston Globe reported Massachusetts health authorities will be proposing strict regulations to help reduce head injuries among young athletes and ensure that these adolescents are kept away from the field until their brains have recovered. The policies are focused on resolving the concerns for the long-term effects of concussions after years of allowing athletes to return to a game after suffering head injuries.

Nearly 200,000 students in Massachusetts are involved in extracurricular sports in high school. In a survey, the Mass. Department of Public Health found that 18 percent of middle and high school students suffer sports injuries. These injuries were severe enough to trigger nausea, blurred vision, headaches, and unconsciousness.

While sports participation helps children learn the importance of teamwork and exercise, Bloomberg reports children's sports also have one of the highest rates of injuries. The U.S. National Institutes of Health revealed nearly 38 million kids and teenagers are involved in organized sports. Safe Kids USA, an advocacy group, said one out of ten young sports athletes requires medical attention for a sports injury.

Most sport-related injuries in Boston may result in bruises, sprains, head injuries, and sometimes death. According to CBS News, concussions and dehydration are also common factors that may lead to serious sports injuries. Concussions can alter the way the brain normally works, and many doctors recommend that children do not return to play until they are properly treated.

A Boston personal injury attorney is aware of the terrible consequences of sports related brain injuries. However, parents of athletes may not be. More and more research indicates that even mild traumatic brain injuries sustained in sports can affect you. ABC News reports that traumatic brain injuries associated from playing basketball has increased 70 percent between 1997 and 2007. The article chronicles how young basketball player Niki Popyer has suffered from 11 concussions. As a result, she can barely attend a full day of school without a struggle.

Football players are not faring any better. Shortly after his suicide, CNN reports that an autopsy requested by researchers from Boston University of football player Owen Thomas indicates that he may have suffered from the mild stages of brain damage seen in retired or aging athletes. This type of brain damage can possibly cause neurobehavioral disorders and bizarre behavior.

A Lakeville teenage boy is counting his lucky stars. South Coast Today reports that Trevor Wright, a 13 year old boy from Lakeville, made a surprising recovery from a severe bike accident. Trevor was riding a bike with friends when he went over his handlebars. He was not wearing a helmet. His mother Jennifer Wright said, "You never know how badly injured someone can get without a helmet. We couldn't believe this was happening to us."

As a result of his accident, he had to undergo extensive brain surgery and was placed in a medically induced coma in order to stop possible seizures. He could not talk and was fed by a feeding tube. As his mother told South Coast Today: "We were told he wouldn't die, but it was a poor prognosis and he wouldn't be Trevor when he woke up." Luckily for Trevor's family, he is back to being a normal teenage boy.

The family of Daniel J. Ryan got some closure earlier this week when their Boston personal injury lawyer was able to settle their wrongful death lawsuit against Cape Cod Hospital. Cape Cod Online reports that Daniel J. Ryan died after being held down by hospital staff last year.

Daniel Ryan was restrained facedown on the floor by Cape Cod Hospital's staff after he was disruptive while visiting his wife. As a result of the scuffle, he fell into a coma on October 9, 2009. The Massachusetts Dept. of Health gave the hospital a citation for a federal violation of patient rights. In addition to this citation, the Massachusetts Medical Examiner's Office ruled that Daniel J. Ryan's death was a homicide.

Concussions and brain injury are a major issue for Boston personal injury lawyers.

Head injuries are common among athletes-- sometimes being referred to as an "epidemic" in sports.

But the risk of a concussion can be reduced greatly by performing neck strengthening exercise, according to Mike Gittleson, the former strength and conditioning coach at the University of Michigan.

Concussions are an area of concern to Boston personal injury attorneys.

Indeed, such brain trauma would be an issue of importance and prominence in a city devoted to the sport of baseball. Brain trauma and head injuries are a great concern to those on the playing field. Last year, a Montana boy was hit by a runaway baseball bat. As a result, his surviving family members were able to collect $850,000 in a products liability suit against the makers of the aluminum bat.

As a result of the dangers associated with athletics and the lack of information on brain trauma, several Boston area athletes have come together to educate young athletes on the dangers of concussions.