New NFL Concussion Lawsuit Includes 100 Ex-Players
A new NFL concussion lawsuit accuses the league of hiding the ball when it comes to head injuries.
More than 100 ex-NFL players, including former Atlanta Falcons Jamal Anderson, Chris Doleman, and O.J. Santiago, are named as plaintiffs in the new federal lawsuit, filed May 3 in Atlanta, CNN reports.
With the latest lawsuit, a total of more than 1,500 former NFL players are now suing the league for allegedly covering up the dangers of concussions. The new suit cites scientific studies that suggest concussions can lead to Alzheimer’s-like symptoms, CNN reports.
Studies show a connection between concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE -- a brain disease that leads to memory loss and mood swings, CNN reports.
The only way to get CTE is from repeated blows to the head, and it can only be diagnosed after death, according to CNN. So far, autopsies have revealed at least 12 ex-NFL players suffered from CTE, the latest NFL concussion lawsuit states.
One ex-NFL player, the late Chicago Bear Dave Duerson, suffered from CTE which led to his depression, researchers found after studying his brain. Duerson shot himself in the chest in 2011, and requested his brain be donated to science, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Last week, another ex-NFL star, Junior Seau, also shot himself in the chest, leading to speculation that NFL-related concussions may have played a role. It's not clear if Seau's family will allow his brain to be examined, the Times reports.
If the suit proceeds to trial, medical and scientific expert testimony will likely be key to the case. To qualify as an expert, a judge generally considers an expert's education, training, and experience.
Like other NFL concussion lawsuits, the latest suit by more than 100 ex-players asserts the NFL "misled players concerning the risks associated with concussions," CNN reports. In defense to similar claims, the NFL has insisted the league did not intentionally mislead anyone.
Related Resources:
- NFL faces new concussion lawsuit (The Associated Press)
- NCAA Concussion Lawsuit: Ex-Player Sues NCAA for Negligence (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)
- Study: Child Sports Concussion Rates Rising (FindLaw's Injured)
- For Young Athletes, Coaches Are Key to Brain Injury Prevention (FindLaw)
