This report, part of the School Law Series, contains digests of 99 judicial decisions compiled from decisions published in the "National Reporter System during 1968. (Author)

Children can suffer serious injuries in falls from standard playground equipment, especially if they land on a hard surface. Parents can: (1) form safety committees; (2) demand safer playground surfaces; (3) remove equipment deemed hazardous according to Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines; and (4) support the purchase of safer…

Discusses school boards' potential tort liability for sports injuries arising from coaches' lack of knowledge of how to prevent or treat injuries. Argues for board policies requiring that coaches be trained in handling injuries, that their skills be upgraded, and that proper practices be followed. (RW)

The hypotheses that school nurses would not be able to pass a standardized test of sports trauma management and that certified athletic trainers would score higher on this test were investigated. Results revealed that athletic trainers were indeed more knowledgeable than school nurses regarding athletic injuries among the high school population.…

Precautionary measures that should be taken by individuals to provide for safer participation in a vigorous exercise program are outlined, including the need for physical examinations, physical conditioning and warm-up, proper clothing and equipment, and awareness of environmental hazards. (JMF)

Reviewing literature on the psychological impact of spinal cord injury suggests: (a) depression may not be a precondition for injury adjustment; (b) many persons sustaining cord injury may have experienced psychological disruption prior to injury; and (c) indexes of rehabilitation success need to be developed for the spinal cord injured. (Author)

Although cheerleading carries a relatively low injury risk, injuries that do occur can be severe, commonly affecting the ankle, head, and neck. Two case reports are presented that illustrate acute injuries typical of cheerleading. Prevention recommendations are offered related to supervising, screening, limiting stunts, optimizing the environment…

This study compared the preinjury and postinjury patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use of 87 persons (ages 16 to 20) with traumatic brain injury. Although an initial follow-up indicated decline in alcohol use, second follow-up (at 28 months postinjury) suggested that drinking quantity and frequency increased over time. Postinjury illicit drug…

Three- through 13-year olds were interviewed a few days after a hospital stay for traumatic injury, and again six months later. Children provided considerable information about the injury and hospital stay and made few commission errors; children's distress at the time of injury did not affect their recall of the event, but distress during the…

Work adjustment of 81 people with traumatic brain injury was assessed at hospital discharge and 2 and 8 months later. The most significant predictor of short- and long-term adjustment was work attitudes at discharge. Nature and severity of injury were not associated with adjustment. Social support influenced short-term adjustment but diminished…

This case study examines the reading disruptions in a bilingual/biscriptal (Cantonese/English) older adult reader following traumatic brain injury. Certain characteristics of the subject's reading problems were evident in both writing systems (e.g., sensitivity to word frequency and lack of sensitivity to visual complexity) suggesting principles…

The review of research concluded that, although brain damage affects visual functioning, the prognosis for good functional vision after remedial intervention is better than previously thought. Although electrodiagnostic testing was found to be valuable, use of a combination of tests is recommended to obtain the most complete picture of brain…

High school coaches and athletic trainers should know proper first aid techniques, have special knowledge about particular sports injuries, have a good understanding of safety precautions for playing equipment and skill techniques, and understand environmental factors that may affect athletes. (JD)

Physical education teachers must provide adequate supervision to prevent acts of intentional violence between students. Regarding teacher liability for injuries to student victims of violence, a review of the applicable case law involving sports settings indicates that the crux of the matter lies with the question of forseeability. (IAH)

Offers ideas and guidelines on how to manage crisis before and after it occurs in camp setting. Lists types of possible crises, detailing one actual incident. Explores broad issues and techniques of crisis management. Emphasizes value of planning for crisis management and risk management (crisis prevention). (TES)