Did the National Football League hide from its players the long-term neurological dangers of playing NFL football? Did it train its football players to tackle with their heads, knowing that players would then become more susceptible to concussions and brain injuries? These and other concerns formed the basis of the first class action lawsuit brought against the NFL for concussions and other head injuries.

The NFL was aware of the dangers posed by concussions as early as the 1920s and yet chose not to adequately warn players until 2010. There is significant evidence that the NFL purposefully masked the underlying dangers by sponsoring internal studies based on junk science while downplaying the seriousness of concussions and their relationship to long-term brain injury.

Read The Latest NFL Lawsuit Update

NFL Concussion Settlement

After over 5 years of litigation, the NFL Settlement Deal was affirmed on April 18th, 2016 by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Pope McGlamry is already working on our clients’ claims to ensure that once the appeals process is finalized, we are ready to start the claims process and get players and their families the testing and compensation provided by the Settlement.

In April 2015, one of the largest settlements in the NFL’s history was approved with three primary components:

  • Monetary Award Fund (“MAF”)

    This uncapped fund will provide compensation to Retired NFL Players diagnosed with any of the 6 Qualifying Diagnoses which include Levels 1.5 and 2.0 Neurocognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, and Death with CTE for players who died by the date of Final Approval, or April 22, 2015.

  • Baseline Assessment Program (“BAP”)

    The $75 million BAP program will provide Retired Players with free baseline assessment examinations of their neurological functioning.  BAP funds will also be used to provide supplemental benefits such as counseling and prescription drug benefits to Retired NFL Players diagnosed with Level 1.0 Neurocognitive Impairment.

  • Education Fund

    This $10 million fund will educate Retired Players about the NFL’s existing Medical and Disability Benefits programs, and promote safety and injury prevention for football players of all ages.