After threatening to sue the NHL for months, the father of deceased ex-NHL player Steve Montador finally filed suit in a federal court on December 8, 2015.
Montador, who suffered a career-ending concussion in 2012, was found dead in February 2015 at the age of 35. In May 2015, after studying Montador’s brain, doctors released their finding that the player had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) — a brain degenerative disease believed to be caused by multiple concussions sustained over the course of time. That same month, representatives of Montador’s estated stated the player’s family intended to sue the NHL.
Montador’s complaint mirrors the allegations of similar lawsuits filed against the NHL in recent years. Individual actions have been filed against the NHL (such as the lawsuit brought by the parents of deceased player Derek Boogaard), in addition to a multi-district litigation, which currently has 70 former players and their families as plaintiffs.