The National Football League (NFL) has been hit with a lawsuit by 75 former players, and some of their wives, who allege the league concealed information about concussion risks for decades.
The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that the NFL knew as early as the 1920s of the dangers concussions posed to the brains of its players, according to the Associated Press. However, the suit claims the league hid this information from coaches, trainers, players and the public until last year.
NFL helmet maker Riddell is also a defendant in the suit.
A concussion usually occurs when the head accelerates and then is stopped suddenly or it is spun rapidly, as can occur in football and other contact sports. Concussion symptoms often include confusion, blurred vision, memory loss, nausea and sometimes unconsciousness.
Professional football players often suffer game-related concussions, which can lead to long-term brain injury. However, studies have found that student athletes are at greatest risk for a sport-related concussion. One study conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that approximately 130,000 concussions are reported by high school athletes each year.
If you or someone you love has been injured by a sport-related concussion, you may be entitled to compensation.
Learn more