NFL Asks Judge To Throw Out Concussion Lawsuits

Posted: August 31, 2012

Football and Concussion Lawsuits

The NFL’s front office on Thursday asked that a federal judge shoot down over one hundred concussion lawsuits brought forth by former players. Those players claim that their time in the NFL left them with permanent brain injuries.

NFL owners are calling the issue a “labor dispute” that should be argued under their collective bargaining agreement with the NFLPA and not in a court of law.

In the lawsuit NFL players claim that the NFL is at fault after hiding medical links between concussions and brain injuries that can result in early onset dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and even suicidal tendencies and death.

In its motion to dismiss the cases the NFL says a player’s condition should be decided at the team level and that collective bargaining agreements over the years have covered safety and health issues for players.

According to the motion:

“To the extent that plaintiffs have a claim addressing injuries incurred during their NFL careers, that claim may only proceed pursuant to the grievance procedures set forth in the CBAs”

Nearly 140 NFL concussion lawsuits have been consolidated and will go before U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody.

Since concussion cases have started to be filed 3,377 players have sued the NFL, claiming game day conditions and their future health were not dealt with in a fair manner by the league.

Players also claim that they were given painkillers and other treatments to mask their injuries and then forced to play if they wanted to keep their careers alive and not be forced into early retirement.