When 4,500 retired players filed a lawsuit after they said the league hid the long-term impact of concussion, the NFL agreed to a $765 million settlement. However, only players with the most severe brain injuries would be eligible to collect, and the estates of the retirees who died before 2006 would be excluded, according to a draft of the proposed settlement sent on October 9 to players represented by one of the law firms that sued the NFL. The players who only played with the NFL for five years or less or who sustained a severe brain injury after the age of 45, would most likely receive a smaller settlement. Retirees seeking a share of the settlement must prove that they have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALSl Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s disease; dementia; or severe cognitive impairment. Also, the estates of players who died in 2006 or later would also be compensated. It is unclear how many of the 20,000 or so retired players will be compensated, but lawyers said they would be paid according to their age and illness, and the number of years in the NFL, which is being used as a way to approximate the number of hits to the head they absorbed. If you or a loved one has sustained a serious head injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact Finkelstein & Partners today. To read more about this story, visit the New York Times website.
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