Former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Christian Ballard and journeyman linebacker Gregory Westbrooks together filed a lawsuit against the NFL Players Association on Thursday, alleging that the organization “withheld information from the players about the risks of head injuries”:
NFLPA says concussion lawsuit “has no merit”
Two former NFL players are suing the union for not properly educating players about head injuries.
USA TODAY Sports
The former players are seeking medical monitoring and financial compensation for long-term chronic injuries, financial losses, expenses and intangible losses. It refers to the "pathological and debilitating effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) caused by concussive and sub-concussive impacts."
The NFLPA has issued a statement regarding the lawsuit, which lists former NFLPA presidents Trace Armstrong, Troy Vincent and Kevin Mawae:
"It erroneously alleges that the NFLPA knowingly and fraudulently concealed from players the risks of head injuries players faced by playing in NFL games and practices over the last several decades. This lawsuit has no merit and we will defend our union and our past Presidents.
"The NFLPA has made the health and safety of its members a priority and the advancements in professional football on concussion education, prevention and treatment are a result of our efforts."
The NFL has had to deal with concussion lawsuits in the past, and last year, it settled a suit for $765 million which was recently revised to remove cap limits on the settlement. As concussion research grows, the league will undoubtedly need to do more to learn about head injuries and how to prevent them.
However, if this lawsuit is successful, it means that other entities, such as the NFL Players Association, could also be vulnerable to suits if it is deemed that they did not do enough to educate players or promote safety in the game.
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