NFL Sued by Ex-Players for Hiding Head-Impact Risk

[brokendigit]

A lawsuit on behalf of more than 2,000 NFL players has been filed against the league in federal court alleging that the NFL failed to acknowledge and address neurological risks associated with the sport.
http://online.wsj.com/video/nfl-sue...C26-C5E1-402D-B2C3-CDDB9A9CBF3D.html?mod=e2tw

Whilst the outcome of this case has no direct bearing on the NRL, it poses the question: whilst decisions regarding player concussion remain in the hands of clubs, how long before a 'damaged' ex-NRL player successfully brings a case to Court in Australia.
I don't believe it's a matter of 'if', but 'when'.

 

[bluey]

Most probably "When" not if for me

 

[attila_the_gorilla]

I believe it's a matter of when, not if.

 

[whall15]

I don't think it would be successful in Australia, though.

 

[BunniesMan]

I said it a while ago. The comp needs to bring in independent doctors to every game ASAP. Doctors who specialise in this with final absolute say in if and when a player comes back. Whether that be literally in 5 minutes or 5 weeks.

 

[Frailty]

This suit suggests that the NFL had evidence but have hidden that and ignored external evidence as a way to refuse to pay for future health care costs or changing the rules to reduce it.

If the NRL are sitting on current information suggesting that it's rules are leading to issues, they need to accept it and act on it.

 

[Sleep]

They should show footage of these guys waving off trainers despite being clearly concussed and being allowed to stay on the field. The NRL needs to enforce the rule. The NFL has brought in much more stringent rules to minimise the risk but at the end of the day you're playing a brutal sport and you know the risks.

If you're obviously concussed, you come off and don't go back on. Don't like it, Netball has a nice no contact rule for you.

It's much more serious over in the NFL. They've got guys with serious mental problems (depression) linked to suicide.

 

[Usain Bolt]

I think that is why the NRL is cracking down on any shoulder charges or hits to the head.

 

[El Diablo]

I don't think it would be successful in Australia, though.

dunno if he got a payout http://www.news.com.au/national/ret...age-compensation/story-e6frfkvr-1226031139173

 

[eozsmiles]

They should show footage of these guys waving off trainers despite being clearly concussed and being allowed to stay on the field. The NRL needs to enforce the rule. The NFL has brought in much more stringent rules to minimise the risk but at the end of the day you're playing a brutal sport and you know the risks.

If you're obviously concussed, you come off and don't go back on. Don't like it, Netball has a nice no contact rule for you.

It's much more serious over in the NFL. They've got guys with serious mental problems (depression) linked to suicide.

That might be the catch. Players/people don't know the full risks of their actions. And there is probably some duress involved on the players part. As you've said it is a brutal game and people can play netball if they don't like it. Maybe players think that if they leave the field they will be branded a pussy by their team and coaches, and that will affect their chances of being picked again. Players would also have some full on trust in the team doctor. This is the bloke that they trust to give them legal drugs/stimulants, painkillers before games, the lot.

When the doctor or trainer says "are you right?" there is a stack of pressure on the player to say yes.

 

[Sleep]

It shouldn't be up to the players whether they stay on or not. When they're wandering around with that "Where the f**k am I?" look on their face they need to be pulled off.

Benji earlier this year was blatantly concussed and the remainder of the first half was a passenger with a trainer basically leading him around the field.

They come off, like it or not and are sat down for the rest of the game. Too many times you'll see guys wobble back into the defensive line, grab at air, get run over and then struggle to get up.