{"id":353092,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:36","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/car-accidents\/nfl-concussion-lawsuit-information.html"},"modified":"2023-08-14T15:47:05","modified_gmt":"2023-08-14T20:47:05","slug":"nfl-concussion-lawsuit-information","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/nfl-concussion-lawsuit-information.html","title":{"rendered":"NFL Concussion Lawsuit Information"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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NFL Concussion Lawsuit Information<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Ty McDuffey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Dave Duerson reportedly shot himself in the chest instead of the head so that he could die without damaging his brain. As a retired football player, Duerson suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)<\/a> brought about by the concussions he suffered during his career.<\/p>\n

According to the complaint filed in the so-called “NFL Concussion Lawsuit,” Duerson had been suffering from months of headaches, blurred vision, and memory loss.<\/p>\n

He wanted his brain to be studied so what he suspected could be proven\u2014that the symptoms he suffered and the abusive behavior it brought on during the final months of his life were a result of the bashing his brain took over the course of his 11-year National Football League career.<\/p>\n

An autopsy of his brain revealed significant signs of trauma, including advanced CTE. CTE is a degenerative brain disease. It’s caused by repeated blows to the head, like being in a car accident. Based on this result, researchers concluded what scientific evidence had indicated for decades. Playing football can cause irreparable and incurable brain trauma.<\/p>\n

In 2012, more than 4,500 retired players, family members, and representatives filed the class action NFL Concussion Lawsuit. They sued the NFL for compensation for former players’ neurological deterioration and the recognition that it came as a result of playing NFL football.<\/p>\n

The Lawsuit<\/h2>\n

The NFL concussion lawsuit, which has since been settled, contained many allegations against the league. Two such allegations were that the NFL:<\/p>\n

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  1. Knew about the long-term health risks associated with concussions; and<\/li>\n
  2. Ignored and concealed this information to protect the economic value of the game<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Some of the theories of liability in the master complaint filed with the court include allegations that:<\/p>\n