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 the settlement would inhibit the recovery of bodily injury claims against the NCAA. However, this week, the NCAA refuted his objections and claimed that the former student-athlete misinterpreted the terms of the agreement.
In its response, the NCAA stated in relevant part, “Mr. Arrington’s assertion that the settlement would somehow prevent him and other members of the settlement class from pursuing bodily injury claims is simply incorrect.” The NCAA claims that the proposed settlement agreement would not prevent Arrington — or any other member in the class action — from pursuing their individual bodily injury claims against the organization. Although, the proposed settlement would not allow the individuals to pursue claims that were already time-barred.