Washington State Concussion Law  (Lystedt Law)

Washington State's concussion law was signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire and became effective in July 2009. The main provisions apply to school districts and athletic leagues who utilize school district property:

• removal of any athlete suspected of having a concussion from practice/game (under age 18)

• athletes cannot return to practice/game until evaluated by a licensed physician trained in the diagnosis and management of concussions and given written medical authorization.  Those currently allowed to provide return-to-play authorizations are: Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), Physicians Assistant (PA), Licensed Certified Athletic Trainers (AT/L)

• parents and athletes are required to sign a concussion information sheet

• read full text of the law

• guidelines from Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA)

• Other state concussion laws/legislation

WA State's Inspiration for a Comprehensive Concussion Law... The first time I met Zackery Lystedt, he was seated in his wheelchair with his black-and-white dog Lucky by his side.  He looked me straight in the eye and very slowly and deliberately said, “The reason I’m here, is to help people.” Perhaps because he couldn’t speak for nine months, or because he almost lost his life and has had to work so hard to regain any sense of normalcy, I knew how incredible that statement was, coming from him. He doesn’t mince words, and everyone is a friend. He’s had choices along the way, anger or contentment, depression or acceptance, bitterness over peace. Each choice, each fork in the road has made him who he is today, the driven, witty, fabulous 17-year-old young man who, along with his family, is changing the face of youth sports today. Zackery's last game Zackery played middle school football, “both ways” as dad Victor likes to describe it, as he was one of those athletes who was talented enough to stay on the field, playing both offense and defense. Late in the first half after a big play, his head hit the ground and he grabbed his helmet in obvious pain as he struggled to get up. He made it to the sideline, sat out for about 15 minutes, and then went back in for the remainder of the game. Another big play, this time forcing a fumble on the goal line to save the game, he was hit again, causing a brain hemorrhage that resulted in the removal of both sides of his cranium. He was in and out of a coma for almost three months.

Zackery's story CBS Video Text of Lystedt Law

Creating the Lystedt Law

In the four years since Zackery was injured, his family’s focus has been two-fold, helping Zack heal, and preventing others from suffering a similar fate. Each story of a young athlete’s death or more news of life-saving brain surgeries performed on teenagers, brings renewed energy to their mission.

Through their efforts, and with the help of attorney Richard Adler, then-President of the Brain Injury Assoc. of Washington (BIAWA), and others, Washington State adopted the Zackery Lystedt Law, which became effective in July 2009. Athletes under the age of 18 who are suspected of having sustained a concussion are removed from practice or a game- and not allowed to return- until they have obtained a written return-to-play authorization from a medical professional trained in the diagnosis and management of concussions. The law also stipulates that parents and athletes must read and sign a head injury information sheet annually. School districts are required to work with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Assoc. (WIAA) to develop guidelines for safe play and private non-profit youth leagues must comply as well. (see  Solutions for Schools for materials and an instructional video).

Zackery's Legacy

As Dr. Stanley Herring, team physician for the Seattle Seahawks, co-medical Director of the Seattle Sports Concussion Clinic, and co-author of the new law recently said about the Lystedts, “ Zackery is a wonderful young man, with an extraordinary family who all along has offered a level of support and love that is truly inspiring.” The entire youth sports community has two words to say to Zackery and his parents: Thank you.

By: Jean Rickerson, Editor