President of Brain Injury Association Calls for Congressional Investigation of Brain Injury in the National Football League
NEW YORK, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The president of the Brain Injury Association of New York State, MICHAEL V. KAPLEN, ESQ. today called upon Congress to conduct hearings regarding the fraudulent medical research on concussions conducted, reported and relied upon by the National Football League in determining when injured players can return to play.
According to Kaplen, when the NFL conducts fraudulent medical research by questionable medical professionals this exposes their own players to further life long brain injury. But a far greater risk says Kaplen is presented to all children participating in contact sports who might also be suffering from the effects of concussions. This mushrooming umbrella of oblivion to the pervasive consequences emanating from sports concussion injuries creates an epidemic of indifference. A national medical emergency exists declares Kaplen that needs investigation by the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force.
Following a report earlier this week in ESPN Magazine exposing the fraudulent research and conclusions regarding player safety in return to play decisions following a concussion, ESPN Family, aired a story yesterday with interviews from leading experts in the field of sports concussions. The findings and conclusions of the NFL "safety" studies were put into serious question by the report and the findings are "shocking" according to Kaplen.
Michael V. Kaplen, a prominent New York attorney who specializes in representing victims of concussions and traumatic brain injury, in his elected position as president of the Brain Injury Association of New York State and as Chair person of the Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America has been a frequent critic of the NFL and other professional sports organizations regarding their reckless practices in allowing players with brain injury to prematurely return to play and the poor example that this policy sets for collegiate and high school sports. Kaplen is also a member of the New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Services Coordinating Council having been appointed by the Speaker of the New York State Assembly because of his knowledge and experience regarding traumatic brain injury and his commitment to the rights of those suffering from traumatic brain injury as well as injury prevention.
Last year, Kaplen chaired a sports concussion conference sponsored by the Brain Injury Association of New York State and held at Madison Square Garden. According to Kaplen, although he invited Elliot Pellman, the NFL physician in charge of their sports concussion program to participate, he declined to do so and further declined to offer NFL support to this important program.
Kaplen, a strong proponent of injury prevent fears the rippling effect of the fraudulent and misguided policies of the NFL to all levels of collegiate and high school sports. Kaplen states, "When kids, their parents and their coaches hear about this fraudulent research and see that the NFL allows their players to return to play, they think that it's safe to return to play themselves. This fraudulent research and reckless indifference to the life long effects of concussions exposes children of all ages to further serious and life long brain damage." Kaplen has said that his outrageous conduct needs to be explored by Congress for the health and safety of America's children.
Kaplen also writes the Brain Injury News and Information Web Blog which can be found at www.braininjury.blogs.com for more information on traumatic brain injury.
Kaplen is available for interviews and appearances to discuss the life long effects of mild traumatic brain injury and concussions. He can be contacted at 212 732 2262. E mail at mvk.brainlaw@verizon.net
Source: Michael V. Kaplen, Esq.
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