Nov 2, 2015Class Action Concussion Suit Against State Association Dismissed
A circuit court judge granted the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) its motion to dismiss a class action football concussion lawsuit filed against it in 2014. The suit had demanded changes in the way schools handled concussions in football, calling for mandatory screening and increased medical coverage at games and practices, among other things.
According to MyStateLine.com, Judge LeRoy K. Martin Jr. of the Cook County Circuit Court said the IHSA has made adequate efforts to protect high school football players in the state. In his order, he countered any accusation of negligence.
“In fact, it is clear to this court that IHSA has acted to protect student athletes in this State,” Martin wrote.
IHSA has created a new committee, the Illinois Advisory Council on Player Safety, which works with the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee to review protocols and offer recommendations for improvement. The new committee consists of athletic trainers, coaches, officials, parents, and student-athletes, among other interested parties. IHSA’s Executive Director Marty Hickman said the judge’s ruling would allow the organization to continue to improve.
“The IHSA’s top priority for over 100 years has been to encourage broad-based participation in interscholastic programs while minimizing risk of injury to the greatest extent possible,” said Hickman. “We maintain that the way to make high school football in Illinois safer is not through divisive lawsuits, but rather through collaborative efforts with key stakeholders. We have followed this practice for years, and it’s obvious the Court agrees with our approach.”
