Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Will Concussion Lawsuit Settlement Absolve NFL of Responsibilities to Players?
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: September 4, 2013
Key Contacts
Back
In a surprising move, the National Football League and more than 4,500 former NFL players announced that they had reached a proposed $765 million settlement regarding concussion lawsuits. However, if this proposal is approved, how will it affect the NFL’s future obligations under sports law to ensure its athletes are protected and educated about potential injuries?
Given the high costs of this ongoing litigation, the NFL may opt to publish more comprehensive safety information regarding the potential health effects of concussions. Perhaps more impact, the league may also introduce new measures to ensure that all players who have suffered head injuries are thoroughly examined and cleared to go back on to the field – a scenario that plaintiffs content was rarely followed during their playing days. Lomas Brown, a seven-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle with the Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers told the Associated Press that the NFL’s uncharacteristic decision to settle indicates its acknowledgement of its own negligence.
However, other industry professionals argue that the settlement essentially absolves the NFL of any responsibility or wrongdoing, which may discourage the league from implementing new costly or burdensome safeguards to protect athletes. According to the Guardian, the NFL will have dodged a bullet if the settlement is pushed through, namely because the $765 million sum will help players and their families deal with the repercussions, but is still small enough so as not to threaten the league’s financial or reputational condition.
In the absence of a court ruling, the NFL will be free of being forced to make significant changes to its standards and heath guidelines. Without these mandates in place, it will be interesting to see if the league makes new safety determinations of its own accord to avoid future litigation or chalks the settlement up as a win to continue its existing policies.
- Industries: Entertainment & Media
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
Navigating Director and Officer Liability in Times of Financial Distress
Director and officer liability increases sharply when a company is in financial distress. Decisions that would draw little attention in a healthy business can later be challenged by creditors, shareholders, bankruptcy trustees, and regulators as breaches of fiduciary duty, fraudulent transfers, or oversight failures. Understanding where that exposure comes from, and how to manage it, […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
Before You Buy: Managing Real Estate and Permitting Risk for BESS Projects in New York and New Jersey
For developers pursuing battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, finding the right property is only the beginning. BESS site selection is as much a legal and transactional exercise as a real estate decision, with risk analysis central to the project’s ultimate success. Key Takeaways The core questions for BESS site selection in New York and […]
Author: Nicholas Wall
What Business Owners Get Wrong Before Meeting a Litigation Attorney
What should you expect when meeting a litigation attorney about a business dispute? You should expect to describe the dispute in your own words, hand over the most important documents, flag any deadlines or immediate threats, and leave with a clearer picture of the problem, what information is still needed, and the likely next steps. […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
Arbitration vs. Litigation vs. Mediation: What New Jersey Businesses Should Know Before Signing a Contract
Arbitration resolves disputes privately before an arbitrator whose decision is usually final, while litigation resolves them in court with full rights of appeal. Whether a business ends up in arbitration or litigation is often decided when it signs the contract, long before any dispute arises. Key Takeaways When facing a contract dispute, carefully consider your […]
Author: Graham Staton
Can You Own Part of a New Jersey Business Without a Written Agreement?
Can you own part of a business in New Jersey without a written agreement? Yes, it is possible. Under New Jersey’s Uniform Partnership Act, a partnership can arise when two or more people carry on a business as co-owners for profit, whether or not they ever intended to form one. Ownership doesn’t necessarily depend on […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
Crisis-Proofing Your New Jersey Business: Building a Crisis Response Plan Before You Need One
For New Jersey businesses, crisis preparedness should be viewed as a legal and operational function, not simply an emergency-management exercise. A well-designed crisis response plan can help preserve evidence, protect confidential communications, meet reporting obligations, limit unnecessary exposure, and prevent an already difficult situation from becoming a larger legal problem. Key Takeaways A serious crisis […]
Author: Sean M. Pena
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.