State Rep. Vic Gilliam (R-Silverton) was recently received Advocacy Award from the board of directors of the Brain Injury Alliance of Oregon. The award is “in recognition of a team uniting to pass Max’s Law: the first Concussion Legislation passed in Oregon,” the board stated.
“Vic worked hard behind the scenes and with the caucus to make this bill happen,” Sherry Stock, the executive director for the Brain Injury Alliance of Oregon said.
Oregon is the only state to pass this type of legislation unanimously, Stock said, adding the legislation that is being used as a model for the federal level.
In 2008, five high school athletes died nationally from head injuries during high school football games or practice according to the National Center for Catastrophic Injury Research. Research indicates that a repeat concussion that occurs before the brain recovers can slow recovery or increase the likelihood of having long-term problems. In rare cases, repeat concussions can result in brain swelling, permanent brain damage, and even death.
