NFL and Players Reach Concussion Settlement

More than 4,500 former football players and their families will be eligible to be included in a tentative settlement with the National Football League reached on Thursday in a landmark lawsuit that scrutinizes concussions and their enduring impact on the brain.

The deal – which still needs to be approved by the judge assigned to the case – calls for the NFL to pay $765 million to fund medical exams, concussion-related compensation, and medical research for retired NFL players and their families, according to a court document filed in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia. NFL and ex-players reach a deal in concussion lawsuit – CNN report.

The deal would cover all 18,000 former NFL players, with individual payments capped at $5 million for those with Alzheimer’s, $4 million for men with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and $3 million for those with dementia. NFL reaches $765M settlement of concussion lawsuits – CBCsports report.

CaseyGerry partner, Frederick Schenk, represents the firm on the Plaintiffs Steering Committee which is overseeing national MDL litigation against the NFL, and which was involved in vetting the deal that resulted in the settlement. Read more.

“The litigation contends that multiple concussions can lead to serious long-term brain injuries,” says Schenk. “This settlement marks an important milestone and has been months in the making.“

The litigation has been in the limelight following the tragic suicide of former San Diego Charger’s star linebacker Junior Seau, who committed suicide last spring. CaseyGerry is representing Seau’s children in a wrongful death suit. CaseyGerry / Specialties / Head Injury / Seau