Several former National Football League players have objected to the terms of a $765 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over concussions and brain damage.
The 28 former players raised their objections Monday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Law360 reported. They claim the terms of the amended settlement still benefit the NFL more than it does the players.
Several former National Football League players have objected to the terms of a $765 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over concussions and brain damage.
The 28 former players raised their objections Monday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Law360 reported. They claim the terms of the amended settlement still benefit the NFL more than it does the players.
Judge Anita B. Brody, who preliminarily approved the settlement last July, suggested changes to the settlement agreement in February that expanded coverage for the families of players diagnosed with CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). The objecting players, however, said the amendments are not sufficient.
“The court gave class counsel and the NFL parties an extra down at the goal line,” the objectors said, according to Law360. “Unfortunately, they fumbled the ball.”
The players said Monday that class members who suffered from CTE are being singled out from those who suffer other brain conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. From Law360:
The objectors said the amended settlement was expanded to cover deaths that occur between preliminary and final approval of the agreement and extended the deadline to obtain a post-mortem diagnosis of CTE to 270 days after a class member’s death, but questioned the logic behind having a deadline at all, echoing other objections filed in February.
An attorney serving as co-class counsel told Law 360 the amendments suggested in February addressed Brody’s concerns and enhance the players’ benefits.
Related: NFL Concussion Settlement to Include Five Changes
