NFL Concussion Lawsuits
Trial-tested attorneys investigating concussion-related injury lawsuits on behalf of ex-players.
Did the National Football League hide from its players the long-term neurological dangers of playing NFL football? Did it train its players to tackle with their heads, knowing that players would then become more susceptible to neurological injury? These and other concerns form the basis of the first class action lawsuit to be brought against the NFL for concussions and other head injuries.
Here you will find a recent interview on ESPN’s Outside the Lines with our attorney Mike McGlamry detailing some of the issues that these players are faced with.
The NFL knew as early as the 1920s of the dangers posed by concussions and yet chose to not adequately warn players until 2010. Furthermore, there is significant evidence that the NFL purposefully obscured the underlying dangers – sponsoring internal studies based on junk science while downplaying the seriousness of concussions and their relationship to long-term brain injury. Pope, McGlamry, Kilpatrick, Morrison & Norwood, P.C., is a nationwide civil trial law firm committed to excellent representation and legal counsel. Ours is one of the few law firms in the country with the experience, resources, and trial skills needed to successfully handle complex cases. The firm emphasizes novel and innovative litigation practices to obtain quality results as rapidly as possible. Our firm is presently investigating claims on behalf of former NFL players who experienced one or more concussions (whether diagnosed or not) during their career. Was your playing career cut short by a serious head injury, or by recurring concussions? Do you still experience symptoms today? Contact the law office of Pope, McGlamry, Kilpatrick, Morrison & Norwood, P.C. today; schedule a free consultation. If no recovery (by settlement or trial) is obtained on your behalf, we collect no legal fee or expenses.
CNN interview with our client, Ryan Stewart, and lawyers Michael L. McGlamry and Gino Brogdon:
The Long-term Effects of Concussions
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that alters the way your brain functions. Effects are usually temporary, but can include problems with headache, concentration, memory, judgment, balance and coordination. Although concussions usually are caused by a blow to the head, they can also occur when the head and upper body are violently shaken. These injuries can cause a loss of consciousness, but most concussions do not. Because of this, some people have concussions and don’t realize it. Every concussion injures your brain to some extent. This injury needs time and rest to heal properly.
Postconcussive Syndrome
Sometimes after a concussion you may feel as if you are not functioning as well as you did before the injury. This is called postconcussive syndrome. New symptoms may develop, or you may continue to be bothered by symptoms from the injury, such as: Changes in your ability to think, concentrate, or remember.
The NFL and Concussion – A Brief History
2002 through 2007 – Dr. Omalu and Dr. Robert Cantu examine the brain tissue of various deceased NFL players (Mike Webster, Terry Long, and Andre Waters). All three subjects suffered multiple concussions during their respective NFL careers, and all three subjects presented clinical symptoms of sharply deteriorated cognitive function and psychiatric symptoms such as paranoia, panic attacks and major depression before their premature deaths. The studies conclude that Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) triggered by multiple NFL concussions, represented a partial cause of their deaths. The NFL’s Response? NFL MTBI Concussion Committee members Ira Casson, Elliot Pellman, and David Viano identified the report as “some bullshit theory,” essentially shrugging off the conclusions.
2005 – A University of North Carolina’s study of the association between recurrent concussions and late-life cognitive impairment in retired professional football players reveals of the 2,552 participants, those suffering three or more concussions had a five-fold prevalence of mild cognitive impairment diagnosis and a three-fold prevalence of reported significant memory problems. The NFL’s Response? The NFL MTBI Concussion Committee publicly attacks the integrity of the conclusions, casting doubt in the results of the survey and its inadequacy.
2007 – All 32 teams required to send their doctors and athletic trainers to the MTBI Committee’s first league wide Summit on Concussions where independent scientists presented conclusions and findings linking football related brain injury and concussions and long-term effects of player concussions. What came of the summit’s suggestions? Ignoring the Concussion Summit findings, the NFL produces a pamphlet for players designed to inform them about the league’s policy on concussions, the symptoms and signs of concussions, and related subjects. The pamphlet included the following text:
“If I have had more than one concussion, am I at increased risk for another injury? Current research with professional athletes has not shown that having more than one or two concussions leads to permanent problems if each injury is managed properly. It is important to understand that there is no magic number for how many concussions is too many. Research is currently underway to determine if there are any long-term effects of concussion in NFL athletes.” (emphasis added).
2008 – Boston University’s Dr. Ann McKee studies the brain tissue of two more deceased NFL players, John Grimsley and Tom McHale, finding that both deceased players’ brains showed distinct signs of CTE. The NFL’s Response? In response to Dr. McKee’s studies, former NFL MTBI Concussion Committee Co-Chair, Dr. Ira Casson, characterizes each study as an isolated incident from which no conclusion could be drawn. Dr. Casson further maintains that “there is not enough valid, reliable or objective scientific evidence at present to determine whether… repeat head impacts in professional football result in long[-]term brain damage.”
2009 – The NFL funds a study surveying 1,063 retired NFL players conducted by the University of Michigan showing results that retired NFL players suffer from dementia at higher rates than the general population. For younger retirees, ages 30-49, the rate was 19 times that of the general population and 6.1% of retired NFL players age 50 and above reported being diagnosed with dementia. Alzheimer’s disease and other memory related illnesses, compared to 1.2% for all comparable aged U.S. men. The NFL’s response? The NFL MTBI Concussion Committee notes that this study is questionable, as it has not been peer reviewed, and is based on questions asked to 1,063 retired players chosen at random via a telephone interview. Only recently has the NFL begun to take concussions seriously. Beginning in 2009, a number of rule changes have been made to limit the pervasiveness of head injuries. Nonetheless, the NFL has not accepted responsibility for its past negligence.
Recent Media
CBS Atlanta’s report on the lawsuit:
CNN interview with former player Coy Wire supporting the Pope McGlamry lawsuit against the NFL:
The wife of a former NFL player says the concussions her husband suffered from the game robbed her of more than 20 years of marriage.
Below is a video of Gino Brogdon’s interview with D.J. Jones on Sportsvisions Atlanta discussing the NFL Concussion Lawsuits:
Contact our NFL Concussion Attorneys
Brain concussions are defined as movements of the brain inside the skull resulting from an impact. Most personal injury claims are for concussions sustained as the result of impact from a motor vehicle accident. Research indicates that multiple concussions may cause or contribute to future problems such as dementia, headaches, memory loss, blurred vision, sleeplessness, and ringing in the ears. Some of the NFL players claim that their concussions have caused depression, anxiety, “explosive mood changes,” poor judgment and substance abuse.
If you suffer long-term effects of concussions sustained during your playing career, contact Pope, McGlamry, Kilpatrick, Morrison & Norwood today. Schedule a free consultation today. We can help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
Disclaimer: All use of the NFL mark is for informational and product identification purposes only. This post should not be taken as either medical or legal advice, but instead should act as a resource in providing general information that may be useful to the general public. Pope, McGlamry, Kilpatrick, Morrison & Norwood, P.C. is not associated with the National Football League or its affiliates.
