Andre Waters’ Estate Files a Wrongful Death Complaint
Several concussion-related lawsuits were filed in the past week. The most notable former player to join is the late Andre Waters. Waters was among the first group of deceased players to be diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
Waters committed suicide in 2006 at the age of 44. Dr. Bennet Omalu told ESPN that Waters’ brain was similar to an 80-year-old Alzheimer’s patient.
This is at least the ninth wrongful death complaint filed against the NFL.
Waters’ suit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and it names 57 other plaintiffs. Among those are Pro Bowlers Jim Marshall and Wesley Walls.
The other lawsuit was also filed in Los Angeles and names Joe Kapp as the lead plaintiff. Kapp was already a named plaintiff in Boyd et al v. NFL.
Among the 41 plaintiffs is Michael Pittman, who has been outspoken about his concussion-related symptoms.
Here’s a conversation I had with Pittman a few weeks ago. I asked him if he planned on joining the lawsuits:
@PaulD_Anderson Don’t know honestly. But I believe the #NFL need to compensate for some of these players who has filed suit. The #NFL never
— Michael Pittman(@MichaelKPittman) May 22, 2012
@PaulD_Anderson explained what the long term affects that concussions can have on you.
— Michael Pittman(@MichaelKPittman) May 22, 2012
@PaulD_Anderson The #NFL needs to explain to all the current players what concussion can do to you in the long run, cause they never
— Michael Pittman(@MichaelKPittman) May 22, 2012
@PaulD_Anderson explained it to us. I had 7 to 8 concussions throughout my 11 career. With being only 3 years removed from the game, I’m
— Michael Pittman(@MichaelKPittman) May 22, 2012
@PaulD_Anderson already feeling the affects. It’s not about money, it’s about the #NFL should of did more to acknowledge this situation &
— Michael Pittman(@MichaelKPittman) May 22, 2012
Shortly thereafter, Pittman had made the decision to join the lawsuits.
Nine-time Pro Bowler Walt Sweeney also added his name to the growing list of plaintiffs.
There are now 86 concussion-related lawsuits, which include more than 2,250 former players.