NFL Concussion Lawsuit: Six Players Drop Out

In a recent development, six former NFL players involved in the NFL concussion lawsuit filed notices of voluntary dismissal without prejudice. The notices were filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The players included former L.A. Rams and Houston Oilers offensive guard Kent Hill, former Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, and Pittsburg Steelers tight end Anthony “Tony” Cline Jr.; former Baltimore Colts, New Orleans Saints, and Miami Dolphins linebacker Edward Simonini; former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Randy Ragon; former Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots …

June 5, 2015 Concussions / NHL

Concussion Litigation Onslaught: NHL Faces Another Lawsuit From A Former Athlete

On Monday, June 1, former Chicago Blackhawks center and Tampa Bay Lighting coach Steve Ludzik initiated a lawsuit in Federal Court, alleging that the NHL had failed to warn players such as himself of the risk of long-term neurological damage associated with repeated head injury.

Ludzik is represented by Chicago law firm Corboy & Demetrio; the same law firm representing the estates of former NHL player Steve Montador and former NFL player Dave Duerson. He suffers from Parkinson’s disease, which he alleges is a result …

May 29, 2015 Concussions / NFL

Duerson Family Backs Off NFL Concussion Settlement Appeal; Heimburger Presses Forward

Former NFL lineman Craig Heimburger recently filed a notice of appeal in an attempt to put a stop to the current $1 billion NFL Concussion settlement. The appeal of the settlement has the potential to delay care for players in medical need of its proceeds by many months. Heimburger’s decision is in stark contrast to that recently made by the family of the late Dave Duerson, who decided against an appeal as they

“[didn’t] want to hold up awards for retirees who need

May 19, 2015 Concussions / NFL

NFL Concussion Settlement Appealed; Benefits Delayed Again

The long-awaited settlement between the National Football League and its former players suffering from concussion-related injuries will be further delayed as one player and his wife filed an appeal of the agreed upon and judge-approved settlement on Wednesday, May 13.

The settlement, having gone through several negotiations and a prior rejection by Judge Anita Brody, addressed the court’s concerns on monetary limit and was finally approved on April 22. The latest settlement relieves the $675 million cap the NFL set on its contribution to …

April 27, 2015 Concussions / Litigation / NFL

NFL Concussion Settlement Likely to be Appealed for Failing CTE Victims

The estate of former Chicago Bears safety, expressed an intention to appeal the approval of the most recent settlement between the NFL and retired players over the concussion litigation, which looks to pay out almost $1 billion in compensation.

Wednesday’s settlement provides the greatest amount of relief any of the prior settlements have offered, lifting the $765 million cap that once restricted the amount the NFL would pay out. Under the settlement, players would receive compensation in varying amounts for varying diseases; a diagnosis …

April 23, 2015 Concussions / Litigation / NFL

NFL & Former Players Reach Settlement Again; Judge Approves

On Wednesday, April 22, Federal Judge Anita Brody approved what may become the long-awaited final settlement between the massive class of ex-NFL players and the NFL in their concussion litigation.

The lawsuit, an aggregation of hundreds of ex-players’ complaints, began three and a half years ago claiming the NFL failed to address and warn of the dangers of head trauma. Former players and their families suffering from life with debilitating neurological damage sought medical help from the NFL. After a few rejections of proposed settlements, …

April 20, 2015 Concussions / NCAA

New Settlement Proposal Made in NCAA Concussion Lawsuit

On April 14^th, the NCAA filed a new proposed $75 million settlement deal to resolve the class-action concussion lawsuit filed against it. The lawsuit resulted from the consolidation of several cases after former student athletes sued the organization for downplaying and/or neglecting to inform them of the long-term, life altering risk and consequences of sports-related head injuries.

The revised proposal was submitted to address deficiencies in the prior settlement deal that federal judge John Z. Lee rejected last December. In essence, the core …

April 16, 2015 Concussions / NFL

NFL Concussion Settlement Objectors Seek Broader Amendments

On Monday April 14, 2015, a group of former NFL players raised another round of objections in the class action concussion lawsuit against the NFL. The 28 former players who objected to the initial $765 million settlement, contend that an amended settlement is also deficient.

The initial settlement was preliminarily approved in July 2014. However, upon the suggestion of Judge Anita B. Brody, in February, the NFL amended the settlement, paying particular attention to coverage for the families of CTE sufferers. The amended settlement now …

March 29, 2015 Concussions / NHL

NHL Fails to Secure Quick Exit From Concussion Litigation

On Wednesday, March 25, Federal Judge Susan Nelson denied the NHL’s motion to dismiss the class action concussion injury lawsuit brought against it by former NHL players.

Several different complaints against the NHL were consolidated last October in which six former players, seeking to represent all players living and deceased, argue that the NHL failed to inform them of the health risks caused by concussions and head-related trauma though the league had knowledge, research, and resources of such information. The allegations mostly follow the lead …

March 2, 2015 Concussions / NFL

Former NFL Players Object to CTE Benefits Cutoff Date for Incentivizing Suicide

On Friday, February 27, ten former NFL players objected to the revised settlement proposed in the long-running NFL concussion injury litigation.

The objectors, dissatisfied with the recent amendments made February 13, mainly take issue with the “arbitrary cutoff date” for players’ families to receive benefits when a player dies with CTE. Originally the plan was to pay $4 million in benefits to the families of players who died with CTE prior to July 7, 2104. Under the most recent proposal, the cutoff date for …