NFL Concussion Settlement: Alums Urged to Get Tested

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Dayton Daily News (Ohio)

A federal judge Wednesday urged NFL retirees to register for a concussion settlement that could cost the league $1 billion over 65 years.

About 22,000 retirees are encouraged to get baseline neurological testing. The league expects more than 6,000 to eventually be diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

The deal approved by Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody resolves thousands of lawsuits that accused the NFL of hiding what it knew about the risks of repeated concussions in order to return players to the field.

At a hearing Wednesday in Philadelphia, lawyers reminded participants they must register for the settlement by Aug. 7, which could make then eligible for treatment and damage awards.

The awards could reach several million dollars for younger men with the most severe neurological damage, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

The average award is expected to be about $190,000 for those suffering from Alzheimer's disease or moderate dementia.

The awards do not cover depression, mood disorders or future cases of chronic encephalopathy, or CTE, a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated blows to the head. CTE cannot be confirmed until after death.

"It's been a long road for many of these NFL players and these families," said Christopher Seeger, a lead player's lawyer. "We're finally at the point that we can roll out benefits ... that are greatly deserved and sorely needed."

In a related note, Mike Adamle, a former NFL running back who went on to a long career as a Chicago and national sportscaster, told Chicago's WMAQ-5 that he has dementia. Adamle, 67, acknowledged memory lapses and mood swings. He also said tests in January showed he likely has CTE.

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February 9, 2017
 
 
 

 

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