NFL Players Concussion Lawsuit
Are you a former NFL player? Did you suffer a head injury or concussion at any point during your career? Are you now facing the adverse effects of the injury? If so, you may be eligible to participate in the court-supervised NFL Concussion Settlement Program.
At FrancoLaw, we currently represent former NFL players and their families who have suffered symptoms or disabilities associated with concussions. Football is a physically grueling sport. You exercise, train, and follow a strict regimen to maintain peak performance when you’re a professional athlete. Unfortunately, direct contact sports can lead to a range of severe injuries, including a concussion or head injury. Suffering multiple concussions over a period of time can cause permanent brain damage and lifelong neurological problems.
Our firm is committed to helping retired NFL players, the men who gave their all to the NFL, protect themselves and get the help that they may need, either now or in the future. If you played for the NFL, you may be entitled to substantial compensation: up to $5 million for the most serious injuries. Even if you are not suffering from memory loss or other concussion symptoms right now and may be entitled to free medical testing and financial compensation in the future.
For a free consultation to discuss the circumstances of your injury and determine the available legal options, call FrancoLaw today at (888) 213-0761.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. It disrupts the normal functioning of a person’s brain and can lead to temporary symptoms, such as memory issues and headaches. This type of injury typically results from a blow to the head but can also occur if the body or head shakes violently. Sometimes, there’s a brief loss of consciousness. However, most people maintain consciousness after suffering a concussion.
A person can experience symptoms immediately after the injury. They can last for a day, more than a week, or possibly even years. The most common symptoms are headaches and temporary amnesia (memory loss). Many people can’t remember the incident that caused their injury.
The most common symptoms of a concussion include:
- Ringing in the ears
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Blurry vision
- Drowsiness or fatigue
Symptoms that can last for a significant period after the injury include:
- Trouble sleeping
- Memory and concentration issues
- Sensitivity to noise and light
- Psychological problems and depression
- Irritability and other mood changes
Complications Associated with Concussions
It’s not unheard of for athletes to suffer an injury and go right back to playing, especially if they’re on a professional sports team. You might have sustained a concussion on the field but were put back into the game because your symptoms appeared minor. Unfortunately, this can and often does lead to further damage to the brain.
Long-term problems can arise if athletes don’t seek adequate medical treatment following a concussion or fails to allow their head to heal completely before resuming their usual routine. The most common complications of concussions include:
- Memory issues
- Post-traumatic vertigo
- Changes in personality or mood
- Post-concussion syndrome
- Impaired cognitive function
- Depression
- Post-traumatic seizures
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
- Early-onset dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
- Chronic headaches
- Insomnia
Ongoing issues associated with a concussion or repetitive head trauma can significantly impact one’s life. The symptoms can become debilitating and prevent one from completing the most basic of tasks. Many retired athletes struggle with their daily routine due to permanent brain damage stemming from concussions and repetitive head trauma.
The NFL Players Concussion Litigation
Did the NFL hide from its players the long-term neurological dangers of playing football? There is significant evidence that the NFL purposefully masked the underlying dangers by sponsoring internal studies based on junk science while downplaying the seriousness of concussions and their relationship to long-term brain injury. The NFL was aware of the dangers posed by concussions and yet chose not to adequately warn players until 2010.
FrancoLaw represented former NFL players in lawsuits alleging that the NFL concealed the chronic cumulative effects of concussions and implemented a common policy to minimize the injury and return players to the game after sustaining concussions. Recent medical studies confirm that retired NFL players face a substantially higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other neurological and memory-related disorders.
The NFL Players Concussion Settlement
In 2014, the NFL agreed to a Settlement of numerous class action lawsuits seeking medical monitoring and compensation for brain injuries allegedly caused by head impacts experienced in NFL football. The Settlement Class generally includes all retired players of the NFL, AFL, World League of American Football, NFL Europe League and NFL Europa League who were retired, formally or informally, as of July 7, 2014. The Settlement Class also includes immediate family members of retired players and legal representatives of incapacitated, incompetent or deceased players.
The Settlement provides eligible retired NFL players with the following:
- Baseline neuropsychological and neurological exams to determine if retired players are:
- Currently suffering from any neurocognitive impairment, including impairment serious enough for compensation, and
- Eligible for additional testing and/or medical treatment;
- Monetary awards for diagnoses of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, early and moderate Dementia and certain cases of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) (diagnosed before April 22, 2015) diagnosed after death. The maximum monetary awards range from $1.5 million to $5 million depending on the diagnosis. There is no cap on the amount of funds available to pay these monetary awards and all valid claims will be paid in full for 65 years; and
- Education programs promoting safety and injury prevention with respect to football players, including safety-related initiatives in youth football, the education of retired players regarding the NFL’s medical and disability programs and other educational programs and initiatives.
Authorized representatives of deceased, legally incapacitated or incompetent retired players and family members of retired players who meet certain criteria may also file claims for monetary awards.
To qualify for compensation, proof that injuries were caused by playing NFL football is not required.
If you have played in the NFL and retired prior to July 2014, you may be eligible to participate in NFL Concussion Settlement, regardless of whether you have already suffered symptoms or disabilities associated with concussions. Monetary awards in the NFL Concussion Settlement Program will depend on the number of years you played in the NFL, your age at the time of a qualifying diagnosis and the severity of your injury. You may be entitled to substantial compensation: up to $5 million for the most serious injuries. Even if you are not suffering from memory loss or other concussion symptoms right now and you may be entitled to free medical testing and financial compensation in the future.
Contact Us Today
At FrancoLaw, we understand the trauma and damage that can result from suffering a severe brain injury. It causes not only physical harm but psychological damage as well. We have successfully represented dozens of former NFL players in the NFL Concussion Settlement Program and obtained significant monetary awards on their behalf.
If you are a retired NFL player who has experienced concussion-related symptoms and has questions about the NFL Concussion Settlement, contact us today. You can discuss your case with us during a free consultation and receive the legal advice you need to make an informed decision about what to do next. Our firm is experienced in handling NFL concussion claims and we welcome any questions you may have. Call us now at (888) 213-0761 for a free consultation.