Cheerleading Injuries: What the Statistics Say

Here are some statistics around cheerleading related injuries:

According to a US Consumer Product Safety Commission report, in 2008 alone there were more than 30,000 emergency room visits related to cheerleading injury. The Commission said that cheerleading injuries had quadrupled between 1982 and 2008.

In the US, cheerleading injuries is estimated to comprise of around 66% of all female major sport injuries among high school and college students.

A study conducted by the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury indicates that during 1984-2009 half of the female catastrophic injuries in the country were due to cheerleading, including three deaths.

While most people seek the services of Montana lawyers when there are car accidents or because of medical malpractice, we usually do not do the same for cheerleading injuries. One must consult a Billings, MT attorney in case of cheerleading injury or death.

Snow sports will remain among the most popular winter pastimes in America. The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) reports that over 50 million skiers and snowboarders participated in the 2007-2008 season. Although skiing and snowboarding can be exciting, serious accidents resulting in brain injuries and even deaths occur every year. Many of these accidents happen due to poor equipment, bad tracks and/or the ski instructor’s negligence. You should immediately contact a Montana law firm if you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence.

Use of Helmets

Research shows that wearing a helmet can reduce instances of serious head injuries by 40% to 60% during a collision, fall or other accidents. Certain high profile deaths, including that of actress Natasha Richardson, have spurred a debate on the usage of helmets. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends the use of protective headgear for recreational skiing and snowboarding.

Skiing Injury and Accident Statistics

A Billings woman who was attacked by three dogs in July filed a District Court lawsuit today against the next-door neighbors who own the dogs.

Laurah Peron's suit alleges that her neighbors, Ricardo Cortez and Leon Garcia, were negligent when their three boxers attacked her in her yard. The complaint seeks unspecified damages for medical costs, lost income, general damages for pain, suffering and physical disfigurement. The lawsuit also alleges Peron suffered property damages when the boxers attacked her sheltie, and it seeks punitive damages for "actual malice."

Peron was bitten numerous times and underwent treatment for rabies because there was no proof that the dogs had been vaccinated, states the lawsuit, filed by Billings attorney Solomon Neuhardt.

As winter approaches, almost three million Americans get set to participate in their favorite winter sport, snowmobiling. Snowmobiling generates more than $22 billion in the US per year. However, the risk of fatal accidents or major injuries continues to rise in this high speed recreation. People flock to regions like Alaska and Yellowstone National Park. There are around 1.65 million registered snowmobiles in the US out of which 39,531 are in the Montana region alone.

National Snowmobiling Facts

According to a report by National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), snowmobile related injuries have been on the rise over the past ten years. Apart from recreation purposes, snowmobiles are used by ranchers, surveyors, public utility employees and wildlife and environmental scientists. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission confirms about 110 deaths due to snowmobiles. More than 13,400 people receive emergency treatment in hospitals as a result of this sporting activity.  Teens and young adults between 15-24 years of age are the most vulnerable. Head injuries continue to be the leading cause of serious injury and even death.