NFL, ex-players want concussion suits heard in Pa.

By January 13, 2012

A timely post as we get into NFL Playoff Season. A hearing is set for January 26th here in Miami to ask a federal judicial panel to consolidate several cases regarding former NFL players filing suit claiming concussion-related brain injuries.
Read the full story from the Wall Street Journal here.
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA — The National Football League hopes to consolidate in Philadelphia a string of lawsuits filed across the country by former players who say they’ve suffered concussion-related brain injuries.
Seven former players filed the first such lawsuit last summer in Philadelphia, where a similar lawsuit filed Monday seeks more than $5 million for more than 100 ex-players. Other lawsuits are pending or expected in California, Florida, New York and elsewhere, said lawyer Sol Weiss, who’s involved in the first lawsuit.
A hearing is set for Jan. 26 in Miami for the parties to ask a federal judicial panel to consolidate the cases before a U.S. District Court judge in Philadelphia. The NFL requested the move to avoid trying related litigation in several districts, according to its motion.
The lawsuit filed Monday seeks damages for traumatic brain injuries and neurodegenerative disorders on behalf of 106 former players, including former Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Brent Boyd and three Hall of Famers: Detroit Lions cornerback Lem Barney, Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Joe DeLamielleure and Vikings defensive back Paul Krause.
Boyd, his lawyers said, is the only living player to be diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative disease that is found in people who’ve had multiple head injuries and whose symptoms can include memory loss. He has started an organization called Dignity After Football to help former players who are disabled or lack league pensions.
Read the rest of the story here.