NFL Concussion Lawsuit Roundup

The number of former players suing the NFL continues to grow by the week. In the month of December alone, more than 70 players joined the NFL Concussion Litigation Club.

The number of former players suing the NFL has eclipsed 4,000. There are approximately 12,000 living, former players. More than 1/3 of all players to ever sign an NFL contract are now taking on the shield, seeking a piece of that $9.5 billion pie the former players helped create.

Three separate wrongful death lawsuits were filed on behalf of the late Cookie Gilchrist (75), Hall of Famer Joe Perry (84) and Gerry Huth (77). Shortly after their deaths, Gilchrist’s and Perry’s brain was donated to Boston University to be examined for CTE. Both players reportedly were diagnosed with the neurodegenerative brain disease. According to the Buffalo News, Gilchrist’s CTE was in Stage IV – the most severe. Perry’s CTE was not as advanced, but he still showed an excessive presence of tau protein.

A few other notable players to file suit in the past month include Marvin Fleming and Freddie Nunn. In 2008, Nunn was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of possessing more than 30 pounds of cocaine.

The most prominent living player to file suit this month was All-Pro Neil Smith. His lawsuit alleges that he is currently suffering from cognitive impairment and early-onset dementia. In addition, Smith alleges that he suffered three concussions in one game during his rookie season in 1988. According to his lawsuit, all three went undiagnosed and untreated. Smith is represented by Mark Gilmore of Burmeister Gilmore, LLP.

Updated – Jan. 2, 2013

On December 31st, 2-time All-Pro and Kansas City Chiefs legend, Otis Taylor (70), filed a lawsuit against the NFL and Roger Goodell. According to the lawsuit obtained by NFLConcussionLitigation.com, Taylor requires “constant medical care and supervision.”

As always, the lawsuits will continue to be filed, and we’ll continue to wait for Judge Brody to determine if the players’ claims belong in court.