News: Judge unsure about settlement between NFL, former players

The NFL and the 4,800 former players who sued the league for damages from head injuries during their time playing may not be finished with their fight. A federal judge has asked both parties to provide more financial information about their $765 million settlement before she will sign off on it.

 

U.S. District Judge Anita Brody said she is concerned that the sum won’t be enough to cover all the players who could be eligible for money under the plan and that the rules deciding which players are eligible are too restrictive.

 

As the plan stands, players can be reimbursed between $3 and $5 million, depending on which problems the players face as a result of brain injury. But, if the estimated total of 20,000 players who could be eligible is an accurate sum, each player would only be able to received $38,000 of the settlement.

 

Both lead attorneys said that they will provide the asked-for details and are confident that once Brody has all the information, she will see that the plan is just.

 

*Scientists have no conclusive evidence as to whether or how the reduction of g-forces during impacts reduces the number or degree of concussions and head injuries. GelDefender products provide supplemental padding as well as cooling and comfort benefits when used with helmets and caps. Participants in activities in which head impacts can occur should always use tested and approved helmets for protection. However, no helmet or supplemental padding can protect the user from all serious head or neck injuries that can result from impacts.

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