Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Concussions Causing a Stir in the Sports World
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: November 15, 2013
Key Contacts
Back
The impact of concussions in sports has been a major topic of conversation in recent years, and it appears that a new sports law may need to be implemented to better protect players from long-term damage stemming from head injuries.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association and four former college athletes recently entered the mediation process that could lead to the settlement of a class-action lawsuit. The plaintiffs claim the association ignored concussions for many years, and argue that the NCAA was negligent because it failed to adopt a formal concussion policy until 2010.
“Continuing to turn a blind eye and continuing to essentially pretend that the concussion issue isn’t as severe as it is, those are the things we say make the NCAA negligent,” sports attorney for some of the plaintiffs Joseph Siprut told Fox Sports.
The NFL recently faced a concussion lawsuit as well – coming to a $765 million settlement with more than 18,000 former players earlier this year. But, many experts believe the NCAA’s lawsuit could have greater implications, especially if mediation breaks down and the lawsuit is brought to court.
Travis Leach, a Phoenix sports attorney, told Fox Sports that the NFL had a collective bargaining agreement in place, which aided the league in its defense – something the NCAA doesn’t have at its disposal.
“In the NCAA case, you don’t have that bargaining unit,” Leach said. “So the parties negotiating for the best interest of the players are taken out. I think you’ve also got a causation problem with the NCAA case. In the NFL, potentially they could have looked to injuries a player sustained in college as being the root cause.”
There’s no telling what compensation will be like in the NCAA’s concussion case, but under the NFL’s settlement, individual awards for men with Alzheimer’s disease linked to concussions were capped at $5 million. However, monetary rewards may not be the only outcome, as new sports laws may be drafted to further protect players in the future.
- Industries: Entertainment & Media
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress
The Trump Administration’s new tariffs are having an oversized impact on small businesses, which already tend to operate on razor thin margins. Many businesses have been forced to raise prices, find new suppliers, lay off staff, and delay growth plans. For businesses facing even more dire financial circumstances, there are additional tariff response options, including […]
Author: Brian D. Spector
Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them
Business partnerships, much like marriages, function exceptionally well when partners are aligned but can become challenging when disagreements arise. Partnership disputes often stem from conflicts over business strategy, financial management, and unclear role definitions among partners. Understanding Business Partnership Conflicts Partnership conflicts place significant stress on businesses, making proactive measures essential. Partnerships should establish detailed […]
Author: Christopher D. Warren
Businesses Are Facing Financial Headwinds—A Practical Guide
*** The original article was featured on Bloomberg Tax, April 28, 2025 — As a tax attorney who spends much of my time helping people and companies who have large, unresolved issues with the IRS or one or more state tax departments, it often occurs to me that the best service that I can provide […]
Author: Scott H. Novak
President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox
On January 28, 2025, the Trump Administration terminated Gwynne Wilcox from her position as a Member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board). Gwynne Wilcox, a union side lawyer for Levy Ratner, was confirmed to the Board for an original term in 2021 and confirmed again for a successive five-year term expiring […]
Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh
Breach of Contract Explained: Types and Consequences
Breach of contract disputes are the most common type of business litigation. Therefore, nearly all New York and New Jersey businesses will likely have to deal with a contract dispute at least once. Understanding when to file a breach of contract lawsuit and how long you have to sue for breach of contract is essential […]
Author: Brittany P. Tarabour
How to Dissolve a Corporation in New Jersey: A Step-by-Step Guide
Closing your business can be a difficult and challenging task. For corporations, the process includes formal approval of the dissolution, winding up operations, resolving tax liabilities, and filing all required paperwork. Whether you need to understand how to dissolve a corporation in New York or New Jersey, it’s imperative to take all of the proper […]
Author: Christopher D. Warren
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.