NBLE Law and Layman Law Firm File Lawsuit Against Bellevue High School for Allegedly not Following Concussion Protocols
Bellevue, WA (PRWEB) May 03, 2016 -- A lawsuit was filed last week by attorneys Fred Langer of Nelson Blair Langer Engle PLLC and John Layman and Nik Armitage of Layman Law Firm (No. 16-2-09930-1 SEA, Superior Court of Washington for King County), alleging that Colter Linford, a former Bellevue High student, suffered a concussion and was returned to resume football activities without being properly cleared by the coaching or medical staff of Bellevue High School.
According to court documents, Colter Linford suffered a severe helmet-to-helmet impact on October 11 of 2011 during football practice at Bellevue High School. As a result of the impact, Linford suffered from a headache, severe dizziness, and had problems running. Although Linford allegedly showed symptoms of a concussion, the lawsuit alleges that he was not properly diagnosed and cleared through concussion protocols – yet was allowed to resume football activities.
Less than a week later, on October 17, Linford suffered a second helmet-to-helmet collision during blocking drills at football practice. After this impact, he was allegedly suffering from dizziness, headaches, vision changes, and was disoriented. After a visit to the ER and seeing a medical professional, he was diagnosed to have suffered two concussions within a week, and was then restricted from playing football. Since that time, Linford has suffered from significant cognitive deficits and has experienced a severe decline in health and quality of life.
NBLE Law and Layman Law feel that high school players are most susceptible to long-term brain injuries since the brain is still developing, and due to the disparity of player size and athletic capabilities.
ABOUT NELSON BLAIR LANGER ENGLE (http://www.nblelaw.com)
NBLE Law is one of the nation’s leading brain injury law firms. NBLE co-authored the Lystedt Law, the first law in the US requiring a medical professional’s clearance for return to play following a suspected head injury. Following the implementation of the Lystedt Law, similar legislation has been implemented in all 50 states to prevent sports-related concussions. The Seattle-based firm was founded by Mike Nelson, himself a survivor of a serious brain injury, who has been focused on the issue since 1973. He and his partners have handled dozens of high-visibility brain and personal injury cases in Seattle and around the country.
ABOUT LAYMAN LAW FIRM (http://www.laymanlawfirm.com)
Layman Law Firm has been a strong advocate for traumatic brain injury survivors and their families for over thirty years. John Layman is a frequent speaker on both the regional and national stage regarding traumatic brain injury. John Layman along with his partners Nik Armitage and JJ Thompson are active in education and prevention both as officers and members of many state and national Brain Injury organizations. They advocate for the prevention of sports concussions including sponsoring a “Concussion Summit” targeted at Spokane youth sports coaches and medical providers. The firm has a strong representation in the Pacific Northwest with offices in Seattle, Spokane, and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
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CONTACTS:
Fred Langer, NBLE LAW: (206) 623-7520
John Layman, LAYMAN LAW FIRM: (509) 877-9309
Fred Langer, NBLE Law, http://www.nblelaw.com, +1 (206) 623-7520, [email protected]
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