Will a Helmet Protect Me While Skiing?
Of course. In most cases
, a helmet saves lives. It helps protect your head from a traumatic brain injury while driving a motorcycle, riding a bike, or while snowboarding or skiing.
However, despite wearing a helmet, Olympic Skier Sarah Burke, 29, died January 19 after a crash while training for the 2012 Winter Olympics.
Her helmet did not protect her from the freak landing of this halfpipe accident. The fall caused “irreversible damage to her brain due to lack of oxygen and blood after cardiac arrest,” putting her in a coma for nine days before she died.
The sport’s leaders say the sport is safe. Skiers wear mandatory helmets and air bags are used on the sides of pipes during practice. Everything was done that day to make Burke’s practice safe of injuries.
Burke’s death was a rare occurrence. It certainly draws attention to what every person needs to know when participating in winter sports. Whether for work or play, wear a helmet and do not perform risky moves. A bump to the head can result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which may not be easy to detect immediately. The pain is not immediate and is not recognizable as many injuries; TBIs can take days, even weeks to detect. If you are a sports enthusiasts heading to the slopes, remember to always include a helmet as part of your ski wear.
Do you or a loved one suffer a serious injury in an accident in Kansas or Missouri? Contact experienced Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys James Roswold and Heather Lottman. With over 15 years of experience in Kansas and Missouri Injury Accidents, Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys may be able to help you determine the best way to proceed with your personal injury claim. Call our firm today to schedule an appointment to discuss the details of your case.
