Riddell Loses Helmet Suit, Family Awarded $11.5M

Riddell was recently found negligent in a helmet suit filed against the company. The family of high school football player Rhett Ridolfi was awarded $11.5 million as a result.

A jury determined that the helmet manufacturer was negligent in warning players and football organizations about the health risks associated with its product.

Ridolfi reportedly suffered a concussion while practicing at Trinidad High School in 2008. The 22-year-old now has brain damage as a result of the accident. He is also paralyzed on the left side of his body. The player’s family later filed a suit against the helmet manufacturer.

Riddell is the country’s largest manufacturer of football helmets. Although many people have tried to sue similar companies that make helmets in the past, few people have won these lawsuits. Unfortunately for Riddell, other cases are currently pending.

The jury also found several of Ridolfi’s coaches to be negligent in their handling of the player’s concussion. However, they will not be required to pay the family any money.

The football helmet manufacturer was unhappy with the jury’s decision in the suit. While the company is only responsible for 27 percent of the $11.5 million awarded to the family, Riddell still intends to appeal the verdict as soon as possible.

The company said in a prepared statement:

“While disappointed in the jury’s decision not to fully exonerate Riddell, we are pleased the jury determined that Riddell’s helmet was not defective in any way. We are confident that the jury would have reached a different conclusion had the Court not erroneously excluded the testimony of our warnings expert. We intend to appeal this verdict, and we remain steadfast in our belief that Riddell designs and manufactures the most protective football headgear for the athlete.”

The manufacturer will be forced to contend with other lawsuits in the coming days. A case is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles later this week. Nearly 4,000 former players and their families have sued the NFL over the long-term health risks associated with the game. Riddell was also named in the suit.

What do you think about the verdict against Riddell? Do you think the think the family should have been awarded $11.5 million in the suit against the helmet manufacturer?

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