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Tag: Concussion

NFL, FIFA, Other Officials Meet About Concussions

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ConcussionNEW YORK (AP) — Medical officials from the NFL, FIFA and other sports organizations are banding together to look into better ways to identify, manage and treat concussions.

The “think tank,” funded by an educational grant from the NFL, was held Sunday and Monday at league headquarters in New York. Dozens of scientific and medical personnel, representing contact sports such as football and rugby to noncontact competitions such as equestrian, took part.

Dr. Rich Ellenbogen, chairman of the NFL’s head, neck and spine committee, says the various sports organizations “need to look at all variations of what is being done around the world.”

FIFA’s chief medical officer, Dr. Jiri Dvorak, insists that the team doctor has final say over players returning to action after an apparent head injury. FIFA was criticized during the World Cup for not effectively policing concussions.

NHL Concussion Lawsuits Consolidated in Minnesota

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NHL-Logo-HockeyST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Three lawsuits filed by retired NHL players over concussion-related injuries have been consolidated and will be heard by a federal judge in Minnesota.

A special panel assigned the cases Tuesday to U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson of St. Paul.

The order says Minnesota provides a central location for parties and witnesses, including those from Canada. It consolidates lawsuits filed by over 200 former players in Minnesota, New York and Washington. It notes that Nelson is already presiding over one of the cases. The order says two similar cases pending in Minnesota and New York may be added later.

The lawsuits are similar to those on behalf of former NFL players, which resulted in an $870 million settlement. The NCAA agreed to a $70 million settlement in another concussion lawsuit.

US Concussion Expert: World Cup Sets Bad Example

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ConcussionBOSTON (AP) — Concussion expert Chris Nowinski says World Cup organizers missed a chance to use the tournament as a “bully pulpit” to teach soccer fans and young players around the globe about the dangers of head injuries.

Several times in the event players sustained obvious concussions but continued to play — a practice doctors agree can put them at risk of severe brain damage. In the final, Germany midfielder Christoph Kramer continued playing after colliding with Argentina defender Ezequiel Garay. Kramer later had to be helped off the field and said he couldn’t remember much from the collision.

Nowinski says he doesn’t just worry about the top professionals who are injured in the world championship. He’s also concerned about the millions who are watching who might think it’s OK to keep playing after a concussion.

Ex-NFL Players: Concussion Settlement ‘Lousy Deal’

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nfl_logo2011-medPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Seven retired NFL players are objecting to a proposed settlement of concussion claims, calling it a “lousy deal” for ex-players whose symptoms don’t qualify them for compensation.

The players’ lawyers filed a motion in federal court in Philadelphia on Wednesday urging a judge to reject the settlement between the NFL and up to 20,000 retired players.

The NFL last month agreed to remove a $675 million cap on damages from thousands of claims. A judge must approve.

The settlement is designed to last at least 65 years and cover retirees who develop Lou Gehrig’s disease and other neurological problems.

The former players who object say the deal excludes players with symptoms of a degenerative brain condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy or suffering from milder brain injuries. They say it also excludes veterans of the defunct NFL Europe.

NFL Agrees to Remove Cap on Concussion Damages

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nfl_logo2011-medPHILADELPHIA (AP) — The NFL has agreed to remove a cap on concussion-related damages after a judge questioned whether a proposed settlement provided enough money to cover retired players.

A revised settlement agreement filed Wednesday also eliminates a provision that barred anyone who gets concussion damages from the NFL from suing the NCAA or other amateur football leagues.

U.S. District Judge Anita Brody had denied preliminary approval of the deal in January that set a $675 million cap on damages, because she worried the money could run out sooner than expected. The settlement is designed to last at least 65 years and cover retirees who develop Lou Gehrig’s disease and other neurological problems.

More than 4,500 former players have filed suit, some accusing the league of fraud for its handling of concussions.

Marino Says He’s Withdrawing from Concussion Suit

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nfl_logo2011-medMIAMI (AP) — Dan Marino says he is withdrawing as a plaintiff in a concussion lawsuit against the National Football League, and doesn’t suffer any effects from head injuries.

The Hall of Fame quarterback said that within the past year, he authorized a claim to be filed on his behalf in case he needed future medical coverage. Marino said he didn’t realize he would automatically be listed as a plaintiff, and he has decided not to be part of the lawsuit.

Marino, 52, was one of 15 former players who filed a lawsuit in federal court in Philadelphia last week. They joined more than 4,800 others who have alleged the NFL misled players about the long-term dangers of concussions. The NFL has denied those claims.

Dan Marino Files Concussion Lawsuit Against NFL

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nfl_logo2011-medPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino is among the latest group of football players to file a concussion-related lawsuit against the National Football League.

The 52-year-old former Miami Dolphins quarterback is one of 15 former players who filed a lawsuit in federal court in Philadelphia last week.

Marino and the other 14 plaintiffs join more than 4,800 others who have alleged the NFL misled players about the long-term dangers of concussions. The NFL has denied those claims.

The lawsuit doesn’t specify any medical problems suffered by the plaintiffs including Marino, who retired in 1999. It seeks unspecified damages and medical monitoring.

The NFL and the original group of players agreed on a $765 million settlement last August. But the settlement was rejected by a federal judge in January.

Obama to Tackle Youth Sports Concussion Issue

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ConcussionWASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is bringing representatives of professional sports leagues, coaches, parents, youth athletes, researchers and others to the White House for a summit designed to help educate the public about youth sports concussions.

White House officials say the nation’s top sports fan is concerned that too little is known about the effects of head injuries in young athletes.

He’s also the father of two daughters who play sports.

At Thursday’s summit, Obama will announce pledges of money and other support from the NFL, the National Institutes of Health and others to begin doing the research, promoting safety and speeding development of materials designed to provide better protection.

Obama said last year that if he had a son he’d “have to think long and hard” about letting him play football.

Obama Plans Conference on Youth Sports Concussions

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ConcussionWASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is planning to host a White House summit on youth sports safety and concussions later this month.

The May 29 conference will include athletes, parents, coaches, experts and other interested parties.

Obama has expressed concern about concussions in sports. He said if he had a son, he’d “have to think long and hard” before letting him play football.

The White House says at the conference, there will be new commitments from the public and private sectors to research sports-related concussions and to raise awareness on how to identify, treat and prevent them.

NFL, Lawyers at Work on $765M Concussion Deal

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nfl_logo2011-medPHILADELPHIA (AP) — A judge overseeing thousands of NFL concussion-linked lawsuits says lawyers are still working to address her concerns about a proposed $765 million fund.

U.S. District Judge Anita Brody says she fears the fund may not be large enough to cover up to 20,000 retired players for 65 years.

Lawyers have given her more data to weigh since she rejected the deal on a preliminary basis in January.

The judge says in a Thursday order the parties are continuing to work with the court “to address the issues.” She also has clarified an order this week denying approval of the deal was not a new ruling. She says she was simply adding the January ruling to some case files.

The judge is expected to hold hearings in the case this year.

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