Medical-legal issues of mild traumatic brain injury

Numerous concussions/mild traumatic brain injuries occur each year during athletic participation by a variety of athletes not only in the United States but around the globe. A variety of standards-type statements have been developed by various athletic and sports medicine groups that can be used to improve and standardize the diagnosis and treatment of these injuries. These standards can also be used to assist practitioners in sports medicine clearance for participation and return-to-play decisions. In a medical-legal arena these statements can be used to support the care that is provided to athletes and thus serve as a "shield" to medical-legal claims and suits. However, these standards can also be used to attack the service that is provided and then be used as a "sword." Legal issues surrounding standards statements regarding these injuries and the diagnosis and management of them should be recognized and appreciated by sports medicine providers and used to balance the applicable medical and legal risks associated with their practices.