A Long Way from Being Over

Furthermore, the concussions problems for football are a long way from being over.  It may just be the beginning with a sustained wave of future lawsuits, additional stories, and demands for fundamental changes in how football is played, at the earliest times and levels: Pop Warner leagues, middle and high school, college all the way to the NFL.  Although the three-quarters of a billion dollar settlement suppresses discovery into the aspects of the suit, other pressures will clearly pave the way for further research into the long-term effects of brain damage from repeated blows to the head.

 

NFL Players File Separate Lawsuit

Although the NFL would prefer it, the matter is not settled since several days later,  four other former NFL players filed a separate lawsuit against the NFL.

Subsequent information indicated that older players might not actually participate in the settlement, especially older players and those who died before 2006, even if their brains demonstrated changes of either Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Furthermore, newer information was that possibly legal fees WOULD come out of the settlement.

NFL Concussion Settlement

On August 29, 2013, Federal District Judge Anita Brody approved a settlement between the NFL and more than 2000 former NFL payers amounting to $765 million:

According to the agreement, the NFL will pay $675 million to players and their families according to an agreed-upon schedule. Forbes Magazine broke the remainder down as follows:

In addition to the monetary relief provided to the players and their families, the NFL and NFL Properties will make the following payments:

  • No more than $75 million for baseline medical exams;
  • $10 million for a research and education fund;
  • No more than $4 million to pay for the costs of notice to the members of the class of plaintiffs;
  • $2 million representing one-half of the compensation of the Settlement Administrator; and
  • Legal fees and litigation expenses to the plaintiffs’ counsel (to be determined by the court).

 

Concussions in the NFL

Below are links to some recent articles addressing the ongoing issue of concussions among NFL players.

NFL Reports Remain Inconsistent

NFL’s Progress on Concussions Blurred by Inconsistencies

NFL Concussions: The 2012-2013 Season in Review

NFL Looks to Helmet Technology to Combat Concussions

The NFL Teams Up With GE on Concussion Technology

Why Philadelphia Court Should Toss NFL Concussion Lawsuit

The NFL’s CTE Clock is Beginning to Click in Real Time

Bad Brains: The NFL and its Concussion Crisis

Game Change: Brain Scans Offer New View of NFL Concussions