NFL Sued for Concealing Effects of Multiple Brain Injuries on Players

Seventy-five former NFL players filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court this week, alleging that the league has covered up the harmful effects of concussions for almost 70 years.  

All of the players in the litigation claim they suffered injuries as a result of multiple concussions.  They contend the injuries left them with problems such as dementia, headaches, memory loss, blurred vision, sleeplessness and ringing in the ears.  Some claim the injuries caused depression, anxiety, "explosive mood changes," poor judgment and substance abuse.

The suit alleges that “the NFL knew as early as the 1920s of the harmful effects on a player’s brain of concussions; however, they concealed these facts from coaches, trainers, players and the public.”  The suit also names helmet-maker Riddell, the NFL's official helmet supplier, as a defendant.

The suit claims the NFL commissioned a study in 1994, titled "NFL Committee on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury" that published a "false, distorted and deceiving" report in 2004, concluding there was "no evidence of worsening injury or chronic cumulative effects" from multiple concussions.

The suit alleges that the NFL finally acknowledged in June 2010 that concussions can lead to dementia, memory loss, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).  CTE is a degenerative brain condition that has been linked to the deaths of several former NFL players, including former Chicago Bear Dave Duerson and former Cincinnati Bengal Chris Henry.

Even though this litigation could take years of trials and appeals before any final conclusion, its affect could potentially change the future of the NFL and how players' traumatic brain injuries are assessed and handled.