A law that went into effect Jan. 1 in California aims to prevent brain injuries among high school athletes.

Under the law, Assembly Bill 25, all academic institutions have to provide annual information sheets about head injuries to parents and students, who must sign the forms and return them to the school. If a student suffers a concussion during a school athletic event, they will be immediately removed from the team or sport and they will not be allowed to return until a doctor states that they are clear from symptoms.

An athletic director and football coach at a high school just outside of San Jose said in a news report that his school began to see an increase in head injuries about five years ago. At that time, if a player suffered a minor concussion they would often return right back to the game.

Now, following recommendations from Central Coast Section officials and doctors, the school does not allow football players who have suffered concussions to practice or play for six days.

The long-term danger of concussions has been in the news lately, with health and memory issues surfacing among professional athletes in the NFL, NHL and other arenas.

The safety of high school athletics, too, is receiving national news coverage after a 16-year-old hockey player was paralyzed in a junior varsity hockey game in Minnesota last week.

The teen was skating after a puck when two players on the opposing team hit him between the shoulder blades and pushed him into the boards. He suffered a very serious spine injury as a result, and it has been reported that he may not be able to walk again.

While this injury has changed this young man's life, many are discussing whether the rules of high school hockey should be changed to make it safer for the players.

It is important that more steps are made to protect young athletes from suffering such tragic, life-changing accidents. In addition, as victims and their families work to obtain suitable medical care for their personal injuries, it is important that legal recourse be available to keep the family together financially while they focus on recovery.

Source: Morgan Hill Times, "Head injuries no longer minor in state's high school sports," Connor Ramey, Jan. 6, 2012

Source: Huffington Post: "Jack Jablonski Paralyzed: Hockey Player From Benilde-St. Margaret's High School Suffers Neck Injury," Chris Greenberg, Jan. 5, 2012