The National Football League (NFL) in the US is reportedly facing a class action lawsuit from retired NFL players over claims that it ignored the link between on-field concussions and long-term brain injuries.
The 28 retired players, including former Hall of Famers Bob Lilly, Randy White and Rayfield Wright, claim that the NFL was negligent in its duty to protect players from repeated blows to the head and concussion, which could lead to serious brain injuries and health problems in later life. The NFL is also accused of fraudulent concealment, conspiracy, material and negligent misrepresentation in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit, which was filed in a federal court in Houston recently, states:
“The bottom line is that the NFL has put its profits ahead of the health and well-being of its players,”
” … the NFL has purposefully sidestepped and obfuscated the concussion problem. As such, the NFL has consistently disputed the very real connection between concussions and brain injury.”
The players are seeking unspecified punitive damages and compensation from the NFL, which will have to rely on its professional indemnity insurance if it loses the case. At present, however, the organisation is denying the allegations made against it.