ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Oct. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The link between sports-related concussions (SRCs), chronic encephalopathy (CTE) and mental injury is still unsettled. However, the concern about injury to participants arising from a SRC while participating in a sponsored athletic program is very real to colleges and universities. In response, Gallagher hosted a think tank with risk management professionals from colleges and universities to explore the risk of SRCs for both athletes and their institutions. Gallagher's white paper on this important issue, "State of Play: Managing Brain Injury Risk in College Sports," explores evolving medical science related to SRCs and CTE, the current litigation landscape, insurance coverage concerns, and risk management strategies to respond to this emerging exposure.

"As we continue to learn more about the risk of SRCs and effective identification and treatment practices, it is vital this information is shared throughout the higher education community," said John McLaughlin, Managing Director of the Higher Education Practice at Gallagher. "In 'State of Play: Managing Brain Injury Risk in College Sports,' we explore the complex nature of this risk and the risk management practices institutions are adopting to protect players in all levels of sponsored athletics while minimizing the risk of loss to their institution."

Insurance and Risk Management in Collegiate Athletics
The risk of athletic injury arising from participation in sponsored collegiate athletic programs is widely understood by today's student athlete. Mandatory training programs, movies and extensive TV coverage have all served to expand the knowledge of players, coaches and other professionals about the risk of such injury. ACA-compliant student health and secondary sports accident insurance coverage helps colleges and universities provide students access to needed medical services while liability insurance assists in protecting the institution and its employees from the possibility of claims that may occur from their sponsorship of such programs.  

Gallagher's white paper takes a deep dive into insurance coverage issues associated with SRCs in collegiate athletics, including:

• Sports accident and medical coverage for the student athletes
• Negligence claims against institutions
• General Liability and Excess Liability insurance coverage and potential concerns regarding insuring agreements, claim reporting requirements and use of manuscript endorsements

"State of Play: Managing Brain Injury Risk in College Sports" seeks to inform higher education professionals on the importance of having risk management strategies in place to address instances of SRCs among college athletes. Furthermore, Gallagher's analysis suggests that the risks associated with SRCs in collegiate athletics can be understood, modeled and underwritten by insurance carriers.    

"Risk management should just be one piece of the puzzle," said McLaughlin. "There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for every institution. The key is developing and following a set of guidelines that take into account the scope of the institution's sponsored athletic programs, the importance they play in the culture of the institution and the availability of resources to manage the programs."

"State of Play: Managing Brain Injury Risk in College Sports" is available at http://www.ajg.com/TBI.

ABOUT GALLAGHER
Gallagher (NYSE: AJG) is an international insurance brokerage and risk management services firm headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The company has operations in 34 countries and offers client-service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Gallagher Media Relations Contact:
Anna Rozenich
630-285-5954 
anna_rozenich@ajg.com 

SOURCE Gallagher

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