What kind of company is NFL Concussion Settlement?

Introduction to NFL Concussion Settlement

The NFL concussion settlement refers to the legal settlement reached between the National Football League (NFL) and thousands of former NFL players who suffered long-term injuries due to brain damage caused by concussions they received while playing professional football. The settlement was reached after years of legal battles between the plaintiffs and the NFL.

History of NFL Concussion Settlement

The legal battle began in 2011 when a group of former football players sued the NFL, accusing it of concealing the dangers of head injuries and failing to protect players from concussions. The players alleged that the league had knowingly ignored scientific evidence linking concussions to long-term brain damage, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

In 2013, the NFL agreed to pay $765 million to settle the lawsuit, which included compensation for players who had suffered from debilitating neurological conditions such as dementia and CTE. However, U.S. District Judge Anita Brody rejected the settlement in 2014 , citing concerns that it would not be enough to cover all the affected players.

After revisions were made, a new $1 billion settlement was reached in 2016, which was later upheld by a U.S. appeals court. The settlement provides compensation to former NFL players who have been diagnosed with qualifying neurological ailments such as dementia or other cognitive impairments.

Race-Norming Controversy

In 2021, the NFL settlement faced another controversy after it was revealed that the NFL used a controversial practice known as "race-norming" to determine compensation for former players. Race-norming is a statistical method used to adjust test scores for race, which has been widely criticized for perpetuating racial biases.

The lawyer for former players in the NFL's concussion settlement negotiation publicly criticized the use of race-norming , and the NFL eventually announced that it would stop the practice and review all past claims to address the concerns raised.

Conclusion

Overall, the NFL concussion settlement is a significant legal case that has brought attention to the issue of player safety in professional sports. The settlement has provided compensation to thousands of former NFL players who have suffered long-term injuries due to concussions while playing the sport. However, the controversy surrounding the use of race-norming highlights the ongoing need for improved practices in addressing issues of race and bias in all aspects of society.

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