NFL concussions: Federal judge approves up to $5 million per player in concussion settlement
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Version 0 of 1. The National Football League – America’s richest sporting league – officially will have to pay millions to thousands of former players who have suffered medical problems stemming from head trauma sustained while they were playing. A federal judge has given final approval to a lawsuit settlement between the NFL and former players that means the NFL will have to pay up to $5 million for each retired player with issues related to brain injuries, CNN reported. Judge approves NFL's $765 million concussion settlement http://t.co/FlTGCdNSL0 pic.twitter.com/o9Jsfmpr2L Judge Anita Brody also expanded the number of players eligible to receive money from the settlement in her decision. The lawsuit was brought by more than 5,000 former NFL players, but Judge Brody expanded that to include all NFL players who retired before 7 July, 2014. The settlement also would pay families of former players who died before that date. “Today’s decision powerfully underscores the fairness and propriety of this historic settlement,” said Jeff Pash, NFL executive vice president. “As a result of the settlement, retirees and their families will be eligible for prompt and substantial benefits and will avoid years of costly litigation that – as Judge Brody’s comprehensive opinion makes clear – would have an uncertain prospect of success. “We look forward to implementing the terms of the settlement and continuing to work with our players, coaches and medical staffs to enhance the safety and benefits of football.” That statement would indicate that the NFL does not plan to appeal, but that option remains on the table. If the decision is not appealed, payments reportedly will start this summer. .@nfl is praising a settlement over the concussion lawsuits that were filed by more than 5K former players pic.twitter.com/0q7YNoSFv2 In addition to payments for injuries sustained while playing in the NFL, the league will also pay for neurological exams for eligible former players. Anyone filing a claim for compensation must do so within 180 days of being notified that the settlement is in effect. This settlement is seen as a win for the players who brought the lawsuit, many of whom suffer from medical problems related to head trauma while playing in the NFL. Several high-profile players have been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a degenerative disease found in the brains of people who have sustained repeated brain trauma. Judge Approves Settlement in #NFL Concussion Lawsuit http://t.co/9aymB04q3q #nflnews #footballnews pic.twitter.com/trAvJqA3vP The repeated concussions suffered by many NFL players have led to several CTE diagnoses and are suspected to be related to a couple of high-profile cases of suicide in former NFL players. CTE is associated with memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression and progressive dementia, according to Boston University.
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