Written by
The Sports Network
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Twenty-one former players, including cornerback
Patrick Surtain and offensive tackle Kyle Turley, have filed a lawsuit against
the NFL concerning the longterm effects and neurological risks associated with
concussions.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Miami and follows
similar suits filed in federal courts in Manhattan and Atlanta this week.
In it, the players say the NFL suffers from a "concussion crisis" and has
deliberately ignored and concealed the risks of repeated head trauma rather
than warn players that they risked permanent brain injury if they returned to
the field too soon after sustaining a concussion.
"Despite clear medical evidence that on-field concussions led directly to
brain injuries and frequently had tragic repercussions for its retired
players, the NFL failed to protect other players from suffering a similar
fate, and failed to inform players of the true risks associated with such head
trauma," the suit alleges.
"Instead, the NFL purposefully misrepresented and/or concealed medical
evidence on the issue. While athletes who had suffered concussions in other
professional sports were being restricted from returning to play for full
games or even seasons, NFL players who had suffered concussions were regularly
being returned to play after having suffered a concussion in that same game."
The players are suing for unspecified damages, costs, pre-judgement interest
and other relief and have requested a trial by jury.
On Wednesday, the NFL notified teams of new concussion protocols that took
effect for this week's games, including the addition of a certified trainer
who will monitor play in a booth with access to video replay and who can
assist the medical staffs of each team.
The Sports Network