On the heels of the NFL settling a class-action lawsuit with over 4,500 former pro players for hundreds of millions of dollars, the governing body of collegiate athletic is facing its own concussion-related lawsuit. Again.
Former Tennessee Vols Chris Walker and Ben Martin (pictured), along with former North Carolina State player Chris Ahern, filed a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA Wednesday in a Chattanooga, Tenn., federal court. The lawsuit claims, Jon Solomon of al.com reports, that “the NCAA failed to educate football players of the long term, life-altering risks of head impacts, and did not establish known protocols to prevent, mitigate, monitor, diagnose and treat brain injuries.”
That negligence, the plaintiffs claim, led to players "[experiencing] increased risks of developing neurodegenerative disorders and diseases.”
And what are the players seeking in the suit? Money from the NCAA that would be used to fund concussion research.
There are a staggering total of nine law firms involved in this suit, including one that employs Michael Hausfeld. As you may know, Hausfield is the lead attorney in the O’Bannon lawsuit making its way through the legal system and which is seeking damages over the use of the likenesses of former college players in video games.
Also currently in the legal system is a similar concussion suit, filed by Eastern Illinois football player Adrian Arrington in 2011 in Illinois, seeking damages for head injuries he suffered in his career. It’s been previously reported that the NCAA is seeking to settle that suit before it can be certified with class-action status.