Concussions, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s are just a few of the things that may be linked to repeated concussions - the type of concussions that professional NFL players often sustain. Research into the impact of multiple concussions has been in the works for many years now, but it was only recently that a slew of NFL players has brought a personal injury case against the NFL for these injuries.
The recent case has just reached a new settlement that will be a major turning point in this case.
Recent Settlement
A few months ago, both sides put forth a $76 million settlement agreement that was tentative at the time. The judge presiding over the case rejected this amount on the basis that a capped amount would not provide enough of a personal injury settlement for some injured players. Recently, both sides agreed to an uncapped amount.
The Breakdown
Here are the amounts that both sides have agreed upon - in addition to necessary treatments and other costs that pertain to each case.
- Players with a doctor’s diagnosis of ALS will receive $5 million
- Players with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s will receive up to $3.5 million
- Up to $4 million will be given to families of players that died due to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
- Counseling, treatment, and other necessary procedures may also be covered in all cases
This settlement applies to all former NFL players that are currently retired.
A Closer Look
Each player that hopes to gain monetary compensation for head injuries must first gain a proper diagnosis from a medical professional, and families that hope to receive funds from the NFL following a retired player’s death must have proof (through autopsy) that death occurred because of CTE. Often, these illnesses are difficult to diagnose, and gaining a post-mortem autopsy can be both traumatic and hard to determine.
However, now that the NFL has acknowledged that brain injuries can happen as a result of repeated head trauma, additional precautions might be taken in the future to protect current NFL players. The new settlement mentioned above is also a large win for former players battling brain injuries and for families of deceased players.
Your Personal Injury Case
This case is important for several reasons: First, it really called attention to the damages that individuals can sustain from a concussion, not to mention multiple concussions. Second, it called attention to the need to compensate individuals for the damages they sustain as a direct result of concussions.
The human brain is the most intricate super-computer known to man. Interestingly, there are people who will spend their lives studying the brain and it’s functions and will never fully understand its true capabilities. The human brain was not made to take continuous and systematic impacts that can happen in professional sports.
If you believe that you have been involved in a personal injury accident, make sure that you have the right legal team on your side. Call the Dellutri Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. We are here to help you!
