A $1billion settlement originally reached in 2013 between the NFL and 5,000 former players gained its final approval this week.
A federal judge has approved a resolution for more than 5,000 former NFL players suing the league over accusations it deliberately hid the dangers of concussions. The settlement, which could pay as much as $1billion over a number of years, is potentially the final step in bringing to an end the NFL’s ongoing legal battles with its former players.
Approximately 6,000 of the 20,000 retired NFL players are expected to develop Alzheimer’s disease or moderate dementia after their careers. As a result of the settlement, those players will be paid up $5million in compensation, depending on the severity of the neurological disorder they incur.
The deal, originally reached in August, 2013, has been criticized by many players who claim the variety of diseases covered was too few. Some argued the settlement should also cover players suffering from more generic conditions they claim were a result of playing football, such as memory loss, irritability and sleep deprivation. Because of the concerns, Judge Anita B. Brody was asked to revise the settlement. Under the new deal, the majority of players would be paid an average lump sum of $190,000.
Payments could reach up to $5 million for younger men diagnosed with Parkinson’s or Lou Gehrig’s disease, or for brain trauma-related deaths. It would cover all players after their career ends — not only the 5,000 who sued the league. The NFL is accused of hiding information from the players about concussion risks related to playing football. The league has denied such claims.
No payments will be made until the settlement goes through the appeals process, which could take years.
