Recently in the media, brain injury experts have called to independently review the treatment of on-field head injuries in football. This is no surprise as FRONTLINE reported from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Boston University, and researchers examined the brains of 165 individuals who played football at a high school, college, and professional level. The researchers found high rates of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is a degenerative disease that is believed to be caused by repetitive brain injury. By studying these 165 people, 131 of them (79%) had evidence of CTE.
In total, there were 199 NFL concussions in 2015. There might even be a discrepancy within the 2005 NFL’s Health & Safety Report, as they determined that concussions fell by 35%. However, FRONTLINE reported differently showing a smaller decrease of 28%. Hollywood has even jumped on this serious issue as the movie, Concussion was released. The movie looks at Bennet Omalu’s story, who detailed his discovery of CTE in the brain of Mike Webster, former Pittsburgh Steelers center, in 2005.
The NFL’s Denial
FRONTLINE reveals the NFL’s embarrassment surrounding these shocking scientific findings. The NFL certainly doesn’t want to be associated with brain injury and CTE. Unfortunately, this embarrassment can prove to be too much at times, as from 2003 to 2009 the NFL’s former Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee stated that “no NFL player” has experienced chronic brain damage as the result of concussions and that “[p]rofessional football players do not sustain frequent repetitive blows to the brain on a regular basis.” This committee is now disbanded.
A Lawsuit Involving Former NFL Players
The NFL’s retirement board paid at least $2 million in disability benefits to players from the late 1990s and 2000s. There was also a lawsuit filed by the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, involving almost 4,000 former NFL players, alleging that the NFL denied the risk of long-term brain damage. The “case seeks a declaration of liability, injunctive relief, medical monitoring, and financial compensation for the long-term chronic injuries, financial losses, expenses, and intangible losses suffered by the Plaintiffs and Plaintiffs’ Spouses” and believes that the NFL was negligent to inform the NFL players of their risks.
The NFL’s Dedication to Player Safety
However, The Atlantic shows us the evidence to make us believe that the NFL is trying to show their dedication to player safety. It’s only right to care after the NFL’s $1 billion settlement was made with over 5,000 retired players in April of 2015. Though, some players have even objected to this settlement as they claim that it offers no recourse for players that have not yet been diagnosed with CTE. Ten retirees even said that “no settlement at all” was better than offering nothing for the “vast majority” of former players who “will probably die with evidence of CTE in their brains.”
Finding a Brain Injury Lawyer for Your Case
So, there is no denying that there is a correlation between serious brain injuries and CTE in the NFL, and if someone tries to deny this correlation again, expect another lawsuit. But, for everyday people, there are still risks associated with all sports in various levels. If you or a friend have experienced a serious brain injury as a result of a sport, and the risks were not outlined to you, or the injury was a result of another player’s negligence, you may have a case. You can talk to a brain injury lawyer in your area to determine the best steps to take. A brain injury lawyer will ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve and that your needs are taken care of throughout the process.
Here are a few of the symptoms of a concussion, identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Difficulty thinking clearly;
- Feeling slowed down;
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Difficulty remembering new information;
- Headache;
- Blurry vision;
- Nausea or vomiting (early on);
- Dizziness;
- Sensitivity to noise or light;
- Difficulty balancing;
- Tired or no energy;
- Irritability, sadness, anxiety; or
- Trouble falling asleep.
These are only a few of the symptoms that may appear immediately after the accident, or develop days or months after. For the complete list of symptoms, click here. It’s important to use this information for educational purposes, and, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please see a medical professional for a proper diagnosis.
Brain Injury Lawyers in the GTA
You don’t have to be in the Hall of Fame or in the NFL to have a brain injury case, and you can speak to a lawyer for no cost at all to determine the best legal path to take if you are looking to file a lawsuit or receive compensation for your injuries. At Sokoloff Lawyers, you can book a free consultation with a brain injury lawyer, and ask us any questions you might have concerning your case. We have the experience and the expertise to help you with your case and achieve the outcome you’re after. Book a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Brampton, Toronto, or the GTA today at Sokoloff Lawyers.
Sources:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/09/19/concussion-in-football-brain-injury-experts-call-for-review-into/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/new-87-deceased-nfl-players-test-positive-for-brain-disease/
http://apps.frontline.org/concussion-watch/#positions_2015
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/nfl-board-paid-2m-to-players-while-league-denied-football-concussion-link/
http://www.espn.com/pdf/2012/1116/otl_master_amended_complaint.pdf
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-nfl-concussions-idUSKCN0QM1PU20150818