In April of 2015, a federal judge approved a settlement between the NFL and former football players to settle NFL concussion lawsuits. The concussion lawsuits accuse the NFL of intentionally hiding information about the concussion risks faced by football players. The NFL denies the allegations. The settlement is estimated to cost the NFL more than $1 billion.
Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for payouts to former NFL football players when it denied a challenge to the settlement agreement. Former NFL players who suffer severe brain trauma, Lou Gehrig’s disease, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease can receive up to $5 million depending on the severity of the condition and their age.
Why Do We have Concussion Lawsuits?
Some NFL and college level football players suffer concussions on a regular basis. One retired NFL football player suffered more than 40 concussions during his football career. Today, he is in tremendous pain and remains in bed most of the time. He also suffers from seizures every day. The NFL researched the consequences of repeated concussions and determined the evidence didn’t prove a direct link between playing football and developing brain disorders.
However, new research links brain trauma and playing football. Researchers have evidence showing more than 40% of retired NFL players have abnormal brain structures. MRIs of former football players revealed that 43% showed evidence of traumatic brain damage.
Even though there was evidence that repeated concussions could result in long-term brain damage, players were encouraged to continue playing despite the fact they suffered a concussion. In 2011, former NFL football players filed concussion lawsuits against the NFL accusing the NFL of breaching its duty of care to protect players from long-term harm from playing football. The result of these football concussion lawsuits is the $1 billion settlement discussed above.
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Contact a Football Concussion Lawsuit Attorney for More Information
Anyone who has played professional or college football and been treated for a concussion should seek professional legal guidance regarding a concussion claim. The attorneys of the Goldwater Law Firm are ready to assist you if you are suffering from the long-term effects of concussions from playing football. You may be entitled to substantial compensation. To schedule a consultation with one of our practicing attorneys, please give us a call at 1-800-210-9700 or complete our inquiry contact form.