Delayed Concussion Settlement Exacerbates High Interest Rate Loans

Following the Third Circuit Court’s unanimous approval to uphold the NFL concussion settlement, a petition to rehear the appeal en banc has left former NFL players playing the financial waiting game. The impending settlement payouts have lenders circling, preying on vulnerable former NFL players that have debts to pay while suffering from both memory loss and cognitive issues.

Lenders, such as Thrivest, Atlas Legal Fund, and RD Legal Funding, are advertising presettlement loans as financial salvation for retired NFL players, many …

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NFL Players Seek to Bar Former Firms from Concussion Award

One would think the Third Circuit’s approval of the uncapped settlement between the NFL and a class of former players would have ended the controversial litigation; however, it has ultimately led to additional legal action. Not only are the NFL insurers suing to avoid paying costs associated with the settlement, but several players involved in the settlement have requested that the court prevent their former attorneys from claiming an entitlement to their individual awards.

According to the settlement, players diagnosed with certain brain diseases, such …

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Third Circuit Unanimously Votes to Uphold NFL Concussion Settlement

On Monday, April 18, 2016, the dramatized litigation battle between a class of former professional football players, their loved ones, and the NFL may have potentially come to an end as the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which oversees federal district courts located in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, affirmed an uncapped settlement agreed to in 2015. The Third Circuit panel, writing in a unanimous opinion, found that both the uncapped settlement itself was fair and that the class …

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NCAA Responds to Objections Over Concussion Settlement

On November 16, 2015, the NCAA responded to objections made earlier this month in relation to the proposed $75 million concussion settlement offered by the NCAA to monitor symptoms of concussions in current and former athletes.

A couple of weeks ago, Adrian Arrington — former member of the Eastern Illinois University football program — objected to the proposed NCAA settlement, claiming that it will not help former college athletes that have already incurred out-of-pocket expenses related to diagnosed injuries. Arrington also voiced his concern that …

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NFL Hit With Another Concussion Lawsuit

On Wednesday November 11, 2015, the son of former professional football player Art DeCarlo brought a wrongful death suit against the National Football League in New York State Supreme Court on behalf of his father’s estate. The son chose to file an individual suit rather than participate in the contested concussion settlement agreement reached between the NFL and former players for more than $765 million. That settlement is still waiting approval on appeal.

According to the complaint, DeCarlo played in the NFL from 1953 to …

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NCAA Concussions: Conflict Between Plaintiff And Plaintiff’s Attorney Continues

Recently, ex-NCAA football player, Saints wide receiver, and lead plaintiff in NCAA concussion litigation Adrian Arrington claimed that he never agreed to a $75 million proposed concussion settlement that is currently under review by an Illinois federal court judge. He subsequently fired Joseph Siprut, his attorney.

Joseph Siprut fired back on Thursday, stating that Arrington’s claims that he never agreed to the $75 million deal and that he was misinformed were “demonstrably false.” Siprut further explained:

“It is absolutely a false statement that [Arrington]

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NCAA Concussions: Unhappy with Proposed Settlement, Player Fires Attorney

Former NCAA football player and Saints wide receiver Adrian Arrington said in a statement on Tuesday that he wants the Illinois federal judge considering a $75 million NCAA concussion settlement, in which Arrington is a lead plaintiff, to reject it. He claims that the first time he learned about the settlement was not from his attorney, but through the media:

“I feel that I have been misinformed and the preliminary settlement doesn’t address the reasons I filed the lawsuit in the first place …

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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

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