NFL Agrees to Settle Concussion Lawsuits Filed by Former Players
By: Daniel S. Chamberlain, Attorney
The National Football League (NFL) and NFL Properties LLC, have agreed to settle lawsuits filed by former players who sustained concussive injuries while playing in the league. Retired players from the National Football League, American Football League, and NFL Europe claim the organization failed to take reasonable action to advise them of the chronic risks of brain injury and ignored player safety.
These lawsuits allege that players have suffered injuries including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is a degenerative disease of the brain that is often associated with repetitive trauma to the brain. The CTE diagnosis is typically confirmed after death. Other serious injuries include neuro cognitive impairment– which effects memory, attention, or learning—Alzheimers Disease, Parkinsons Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Schlerosis (ALS).
Retired NFL players, legal representatives of incapacitated or deceased players, and families of deceased players may be eligible to receive benefits from this settlement. Registration will be required and can be done on the website www.nflconcussionsettlement.com. The settlement provides baseline medical exams for retired NFL players, monetary awards for specific injuries, and education programs and initiatives related to football safety.
Given the complexity of the settlement and categorization of the various scientific and medical monetary award classifications, that legal assistance is highly recommended for most players and their families.
Dan Chamberlain is the board chairman for the Brain Injury Association of America and is a national trial board certified attorney who has represented numerous clients who have been victims of traumatic brain injury.
