News & Events

$675 Million Not Enough to Compensate Brain Injured NFL Players

In January a U.S. Court refused to approve a settlement between the National Football League and former players that would have provided $675 million in compensation for former players with neurological symptoms caused by concussions suffered on the football field. The settlement was designed to last at least 65 years and cover retired players who develop Lou Gehrig’s disease, dementia or other neurological problems. The Court rejected the settlement out of a concern that the money being paid was not enough to last 65 years.

On June 25, the NFL agreed to remove the $675 million cap from the settlement agreement. The settlement will provide compensation depending on the severity of the condition. A former player who develops Lou Gehrig’s disease while still young can recover as much as $5 million. A former player diagnosed with early dementia at age 80 can recover $25,000. The NFL could pay out more than $675 million to brain injured players under the revised settlement agreement.

Brain injury has a huge impact on our society. The NFL settlement is a reminder that concussions are not minor injuries and should not be ignored. While some people who sustain a concussion have few or no residual effects other people can suffer profoundly from a single head injury. Multiple head injuries increase the odds that a person will suffer significant impairments.

If you or a loved one has sustained a head injury in a motor vehicle accident or as a result of someone else’s fault you should consult with a personal injury lawyer.