April 14, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits
We just added an additional page to our website concerning a new study done by the director of the Florida Center for Headache and Sports Neurology concerning what some say is the strongest link yet between playing football and trauma to the brain. One striking part of the study that stood out to me was that HALF of the former players in the study had serious problems with everyday functions like reasoning, problem solving, planning and attention. In addition, 45% experienced difficulty with learning and memory. These are tasks human beings are expected to perform all of the time without having to think twice. Because the NFL made the decision to hide the dangers of head injuries from their players, these men are struggling with things that most people take for granted. Some of them may say that had they known the risks they still would make the decision to play, but there was no decision for them to make. The NFL took that away from them when the league decided money was more important than players’ lives.
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Former Players Request Rehearing on Concussion Settlement Approval
April 29, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits
The lawyers for several retired NFL players requested the entire Third Circuit Court of Appeals rehear arguments against the NFL Concussion Settlement Agreement. Last week a three-judge panel from the Third Circuit affirmed the approval of the agreement, however this group of players is now asking that a larger group of judges hear their argument. The retired players are still concerned with how chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is treated in the Agreement and would like to the court to hear further arguments. If the court does agree to rehear arguments, it will further delay getting payments to players in need since no money can be paid out until all appeals are exhausted.
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Appellate Court Approves NFL Concussion Settlement
April 19, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the district court’s order approving the NFL Concussion Settlement Agreement. While those challenging the agreement are displeased with today’s ruling, proponents of the agreement consider it a step in the right direction in getting much needed financial awards for retired players and their families who are suffering from neurological conditions due to their time playing in the league. This is an important aspect of today’s decision to consider as it may get drowned in the coming days by those who opposed the settlement agreement as it currently stands. As long as there are no further appeals, former players and their families can start applying for and receiving the benefits from the NFL. The reason this entire litigation was started in the first place was to get former players medical and financial benefits. Hopefully that is not lost on the small minority who are unhappy with today’s decision. Our goal from the stat has been to get as much assistance for those former players who are in need of help. Many former players are already suffering from various neurological conditions related to their time spent playing in the NFL, and many more will be diagnosed in the future. We believe the deal currently agreed to will do a lot to ease the financial burden many former players and their families are currently experiencing.
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Appeals Court Upholds $1 Billion NFL Concussion Settlement
April 18, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits
The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld Federal District Court Judge Anita Brody’s Order approving the NFL Concussion Settlement. The appellate judges found the settlement “fair” and reasoned that it was “for the greater good of all players.” The three-judge panel sided with Judge Brody on almost all of the major questions before the court. Objectors to the settlement argued that it didn’t do enough for those who would be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in the future but the appellate court said that the settlement’s treatment of the symptoms of CTE was “reasonable.”
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Another Study Links Playing Football to Brain Trauma
April 14, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits
We just added an additional page to our website concerning a new study done by the director of the Florida Center for Headache and Sports Neurology concerning what some say is the strongest link yet between playing football and trauma to the brain. One striking part of the study that stood out to me was that HALF of the former players in the study had serious problems with everyday functions like reasoning, problem solving, planning and attention. In addition, 45% experienced difficulty with learning and memory. These are tasks human beings are expected to perform all of the time without having to think twice. Because the NFL made the decision to hide the dangers of head injuries from their players, these men are struggling with things that most people take for granted. Some of them may say that had they known the risks they still would make the decision to play, but there was no decision for them to make. The NFL took that away from them when the league decided money was more important than players’ lives.
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Scientists Reveal Strong Link Between Football and Brain Trauma
April 14, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits
Dr. Frank Conidi, director of the Florida Center for Headache and Sports Neurology, recently presented a study at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting in Vancouver that reported some alarming results. Studying images from sophisticated MRI machines, Conidi analyzed the brains of 40 living former NFL players. What he found was that more than 40% of them showed evidence of abnormal brain structures.
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J&J’s Baby Powder Problem
April 7, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Talcum Powder Lawsuits
Bloomberg released an investigatory report regarding the potential link between long term use of talcum powder in the genital area and ovarian cancer in women. J&J has been selling its Baby Powder for over 100 years, yet there had never been a discussion concerning ovarian cancer until a British study done in 1971 found talc particles “deeply embedded” in 10 of 13 ovarian tumors.
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NFL Retirement Plan Denies Former Player Disability Benefits
April 7, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / NFL Concussion Lawsuits
With billions of dollars in annual revenues, why is the NFL seemingly “nickel and diming” its former players when they apply for disability benefits? 12-year NFL cornerback Charles Dimry is suing the NFL’s retirement plan for denying him disability benefits. Dimry says he suffered two major neck injuries while playing and had to have cervical fusion surgery in 2000 after his playing days were done. With the pain in his neck growing worse, Dimry was unable to “stand or sit for extended periods” and had to endure further surgeries.
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