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Helmet-Maker Riddell Loses $11.5 Million Lawsuit
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: April 19, 2013
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A Colorado jury awarded a young man who suffered severe brain injuries while playing high school football millions of dollars in a lawsuit brought against helmet-maker Riddell.
Rhett Ridolfi, now 22 years old, was awarded $11.5 million in damages after suing Riddell, football coaches and his former high school’s administration. The jury ruled that while the helmets themselves are not defective, Riddell failed to properly warn the players who wear its helmets of the risks associated with brain injuries in football. Riddell said it plans to appeal the ruling, but expressed relief that the jury recognized the safety of its product, according to the New York Times.
”While disappointed in the jury’s decision not to fully exonerate Riddell, we are pleased the jury determined that Riddell’s helmet was not defective in any way,” the company said in a statement.
The jury determined that the company was 27 percent responsible for Ridolfi’s injuries, which left him partially paralyzed, and will be required to pay $3.1 million in the damages. A representative for Ridolfi said he would petition the court to require Riddell to pay the full $11.5 million in damages, particularly as Ridolfi’s coaches are considered government employees and therefore have immunity from paying damages, according to NBC Sports.
The blow might not be the first suffered by the company, which is facing a similar sports law dispute in Los Angeles and another lawsuit from several former NFL players.
- Industries: Entertainment & Media
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