On November 25, the National Hockey League was sued by 10 former players in a class-action lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia. Plaintiffs – which include NHL alumni such as Gary Leeman, Curt Bennett and Richie Dunn – assert that the NHL hasn’t done enough to protect players from the dangers posed by concussions.
Similar to the several thousand plaintiffs who recently settled the concussion litigation against the NFL (for $765 million), these former NHL alums assert that “The NHL’s active and purposeful concealment of the severe risks of brain injuries exposed players to unnecessary dangers that could have been avoided [if] the NHL provided them with truthful and accurate information and taken appropriate action to prevent needless harm.” Further, the Complaint also alleges that the NHL contributed to the prevalence of injuries in the sport by refusing to ban fighting and body-checking, and promoting a general “culture of violence” where fighting and “head-hunting” were celebrated.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly issued a statement on Monday, noting “we are aware of the class-action lawsuit filed today…on behalf of a group of former NHL players. While the subject matter is very serious, we are completely satisfied with the responsible manner in which the league and the players’ associations have managed player safety over time, including with respect to head injuries and concussions.”
10 Former Players Sue NHL, Saying League Didn’t Do Enough on Concussions