California Injury Lawyers Blog

In Los Angeles Superior Court, 75 ex-pro football players have filed a lawsuit against the National Football League accusing it of concealing the concussion risks that come with playing the game. The complaint comes even as attorneys for NFL owners and players continue to try and hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement.

According to the Los Angeles personal injury complaint, the NFL knew as far back as the 1920's that a player's brain was at risk of serious harm from concussions and did not let coaches, players, trainers, and the public know "these facts" until last year. The league even allegedly went so far as to commission a study called "NFL Committee on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury" in the 1990's, with findings published in a 2004 report that claimed that there wasn't any evidence that multiple concussions could cause "worsening injury or chronic cumulative effects." It wasn't until June 2010 that the league admitted that concussions could lead to dementia, memory loss, and other brain injury symptoms.

Plaintiffs include ex-Giants running backs Ottis Anderson and Rodney Hampton and ex-Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mark Duper. Also a defendant of this California injury complaint is NFL helmet maker Riddell. If in fact the manufacturer did not do enough to warn that there was a serious brain injury risk even when using their helmets, Riddell could be held liable for California products liability.

Brain Injury
A direct blow to the head can cause a traumatic brain injury, and one of the leading causes of TBIs is athletic activities. Contrary to popular belief, even a concussion is a type of brain injury that in some cases can be serious. If the NFL did conceal the risks involved in playing football and this resulted in football players sustaining brain injuries, the league may indeed have to pay damages to the victims and their families.

NFL and Helmet Maker Riddell Sued by 75 Retired Players Over Concussions, Bloomberg, July 21, 2011

NFL Sued for Allegedly Concealing Brain Injury Risks, TMZ, July 19, 2011

New Sign of Brain Damage in N.F.L., New York Times, January 27, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Riddell

NFL

More Blog Posts:
Los Angeles Products Liability Lawsuit Seeks Damages from Riddell Sports Inc. for Teen's Permanent Traumatic Brain Injury, California Injury Lawyers Blog, August 31, 2010

Over 400 Plaintiffs Accuse Los Angeles Count and Exxon Mobil Inc. of Toxin Exposure at Willowbrook Housing Complex that Resulted in Deaths, Injuries, and Health Issues,
California Injury Lawyers Blog, April 14, 2010

Dodgers Settle Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawsuit with Fan Who Broke His Neck During Baseball Game, California Injury Lawyers Blog, April 20, 2011

Over 400 people are suing LA County and Exxon Mobil Inc. of Los Angeles wrongful death and personal injuries. The plaintiffs are former residents of the Ujima Village housing complex and the surviving family members of those that died from toxin exposure.

At least 38 deaths are being linked to gas and oil contamination, which caused vapors and made the soil toxic. Plaintiffs say that toxin exposure at the 300-unit complex caused rashes, cancers, asthma, miscarriages, and other health issues. They are seeking damages for wrongful death, personal injury, medical bills, back rent, and other damages and losses. They content that no one ever told them that they were living on contaminated land or that the soil and vapors might pose a health hazard.

The Willowbrook complex was constructed in 1972 on what used to be an oil tank storage site. LA County closed the housing complex in 2008. Exxon Mobil says that it didn't learn that there could be a problem with the soil condition until 2007 and that it has been working with numerous state and local agencies to conduct an environmental probe. The company says that regulators have determined that the toxins don't pose an immediate public health threat.

If you became ill or suffered other types of health issues because you were exposed to toxins or other hazardous substances, you may have grounds for filing a Los Angeles County personal injury or wrongful death complaint. You may even find that other people also have suffered as a result of the same exposure.

In addition to the party responsible for the toxic substances, you may also be entitled to file a toxic injury claim against a premise owner and other liable parties.

Suit blames deaths on housing site in LA County, Associated Press, April 13, 2010

Hundreds sue L.A. County over Ujima Village contamination, Los Angeles Times, April 12, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Los Angeles County

Exxon Mobil Inc.