NFL laughs at those predicting doom from concussion suits

[rise]

I remember a lot of idiots claiming this would be the end of football as we know it. That the award would be crippling, billions upon billions.

From the article

The NFL and more than 4,500 former players want to resolve concussion-related lawsuits with a $765 million settlement that would fund medical exams, concussion-related compensation and medical research, a federal judge said Thursday.

One of the principle terms of the settlement is that the agreement "cannot be considered, an admission by the NFL of liability, or an admission that plaintiffs' injuries were caused by football."

According to the settlement, $675 million of the $765 million would be used to compensate former players and families of deceased players who have suffered cognitive injury. Other money will be used for baseline medical exams, the cost of which will be capped at $75 million. The NFL will also fund research and education at a cost of $10 million.

Individual awards would be capped at $5 million for men with Alzheimer's disease; $4 million for those diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after their deaths; and $3 million for players with dementia.

That seems a bit low to me?

 

[KeithTalent]

The individual amounts seem reasonable to me, not sure how they will decide who gets what though.

KT

 

[Gibsons]

Individual awards would be capped at $5 million for men with Alzheimer's disease; $4 million for those diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after their deaths; and $3 million for players with dementia.

can they get 12M if they've got all three?

edit: I guess you can't have dementia if you're dead. :\

 

[techs]

I'm not sure the article is giving the full story. I seem to remember the lawsuit was from a limited amount of ex-players, 400 seems to ring a bell, or maybe 4,000.
Many ex-players chose not to join in the group lawsuit and are suing or have the right to sue on their own. I would guess many of those not joining in have the most severe consequences like suicide, so by the time they are done the total awards may much higher.

 

[lupi]

Says district court will be responsible for handing out individual awards.

And lol at the amounts. Overall this is just like each team paying for a franchise QB for 1 year. And because payouts will be tied to actual medical diagnosis, most of those names on the lawsuit will never get anything for signing on to the gravy train.

 

[techs]

Says district court will be responsible for handing out individual awards.

And lol at the amounts. Overall this is just like each team paying for a franchise QB for 1 year. And because payouts will be tied to actual medical diagnosis, most of those names on the lawsuit will never get anything for signing on to the gravy train.

Is this like where you go in the internet and sign up for one of those class action lawsuits and a few years later they send you a check for 15 dollars?

 

[lupi]

No, those actually diagnosed will get a significant payout, but the bulk that "signed up" will never see a cent.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Is this like where you go in the internet and sign up for one of those class action lawsuits and a few years later they send you a check for 15 dollars?

no, it's like those class action lawsuits where a few years later they send you a minuscule coupon for your next purchase from them.

 

[CPA]

At what point do we say "look, you know the risks. If you want to play, you take the risk."?

 

[techs]

At what point do we say "look, you know the risks. If you want to play, you take the risk."?

I think the point of the lawsuit was the NFL knew the risks and didn't tell the players.

 

[Miramonti]

I remember a lot of idiots claiming this would be the end of football as we know it. That the award would be crippling, billions upon billions.

From the article


That seems a bit low to me?

Sounds like if all you got is depression and feelings of a miserable life, you're screwed.

 

[Brainonska511]

At what point do we say "look, you know the risks. If you want to play, you take the risk."?

Now we know the risks. How widespread was the knowledge that even a few concussions could significantly increase the risk of early-onset dementia? In the past, the most 'risk' people assumed they'd have from the sport was a busted limb from a hard hit, not grappling with a debilitating brain disorder.

 

[Malak]

That seems a bit low to me?

Low? It only goes to people either dead or unable to use the money, which means it actually goes to people who aren't football players. And it's enough money to easily never work another day in your life. It's actually pretty fucking high.