NCAA Concussion Lawsuit: Ex-Player Sues NCAA for Negligence

Is the NCAA negligent? That's the question at the center of a new NCAA concussion lawsuit that alleges the organization failed to protect student athletes.

The suit is filed by a former college football player, Adrian Arrington. Now 25, Arrington says he suffered from numerous concussions during his college football career at Eastern Illinois University. Arrington's suit is seeking class-action status.

Arrington served as EIU's team captain in 2009. He says he suffered from memory loss and had trouble finishing his degree because of his constant injuries.

Interestingly, Arrington asked for policy changes as part of his damages, the AP reports.

Arrington's allegations are similar to those leveled against the NFL. The NFL is facing its own concussion-related lawsuit, filed by 7 former players. The NFL's lawsuit similarly alleges the league failed to properly train athletes. It also alleges the league of improper concussion treatment and concealing the risks of brain injuries.

The NFL suit, however, does not request a change in the NFL's rules or policies.

Arrington's suit does. In fact, his suit specifically targets the way players are trained by coaches, including tackling and focus of play. He also wants new guidelines for handling concussions and new medical monitoring programs for student athletes.

The suit also requests an unspecified damages amount.

These recent lawsuits shed light on the dark side of an already brutal sport. It also casts new questions about the NCAA's role in protecting athletes.

Was the NCAA negligent? Did the NCAA's concussion policies and coaching techniques contribute to student injuries? Stay tuned to see how this lawsuit moves forward.

Related Resources:

• NCAA named in class-action concussion lawsuit (USA Today)
• Football's 'Big Hits': A Lawsuit in the Making? (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)
• $7.5 Million in Settlement Compensation to Football Player (FindLaw's Injured)
• High School Football Player Sues Over Injuries (FindLaw's Injured)