National Football League's settlement offer has been upheld by a federal Court of Appeals. Retired football players had agreed on a deal to compensate all former players following the concussion lawsuit.
A Court of Appeals judge on Monday affirmed the estimated $1 billion settlement offer to a thousand of retired football players who filed concussion lawsuit against NFL, Reuters reported. The deal has been initially approved last April by Judge Anita B. Brody of United States District Court in Philadelphia.
Some players rejected the said deal, arguing that the terms are too restrictive and would not cover many players who developed serious neurological problems over time. The representing lawyer for the objecting players, Steven Molo, said his clients were disappointed. While, Samuel Issacharoff, the attorney for the players who agreed to the deal said, the players will finally get the settlement for those who really need it.
The Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 69-page ruling, saying "Given what we know about CTE, many of the symptoms associated with the disease will be covered by this insurance." The judge went on and wrote, the settlement serves as "compensation for players who are coping with these symptoms now is surely preferable to waiting until they die to pay their estates for a CTE diagnosis," WCVB quoted.
NFL also said the deal will benefit thousands of lawsuit filed by 20,000 retired football players over the next 65 years. They estimated that 6,000 former players could have dementia or Alzeimer's disease. Players can also receive up to $5 million in compensation; and if diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or severe dementia, they will be given with up to $3.5 million.
According to ESPN, the conditions associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy or C.T.E., like mood and behavioral disorders, are not covered under the deal. Circuit Judge Thomas Ambro wrote it would be an "uphill battle" to prove the link to the said disease.
CTE has been found during autopsies for several former players, including Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau and Pro Bowl safety Dave Duerson, who both committed suicide. In March, the NFL, for the first time, acknowledged a link between football and CTE.
