On Friday, June 23, 2017, the Fourth Circuit affirmed a Maryland District Court’s 2016 ruling that the National Football League’s Retirement Plan wrongfully denied a request by former NFL linebacker Jesse Solomon for a higher level of benefits. Solomon sought a higher level of benefits as a result of cognitive impairments he has suffered due to head injuries sustained while playing nine years in the NFL. As a result of the affirmation that the Retirement Plan “abused its discretion” in Solomon’s case, the NFL will …
Continue ReadingTag: NFL Retirement Plan
Schlichter Seeks Retirement Benefits From NFL
Former NFL quarterback Art Schlichter, who famously gambled away a promising playing career, is suing the NFL Player Retirement Plan in an attempt to receive retirement benefits he claims to have earned during a season in which he was suspended for betting on sports. Schlichter’s argument is although he was suspended for the 1983 season, he remained contractually obligated to the Baltimore Colts and therefore he is entitled to have that season count towards his retirement benefits.
In his complaint, Schlichter alleges he is suffering …
Continue ReadingFormer NFL Player Sues Retirement Plan
On Friday, October 2, 2015, ex-NFL player Sean Berton brought suit against the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan, Retirement Plan Board, and Retirement Plan Committee under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
Berton played in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants from 2002-05. According to the complaint, Berton suffered “approximately a dozen concussions” during his NFL career, and began exhibiting neuro-cognitive problems in October 2005. After leaving the NFL, Berton took a job as a recruiter at Soloman …
Continue Reading