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Here Come the Lawsuits

Nicholas Harris, 17, was allegedly sent back into a junior varsity football game last year in Medford, Oregon, after telling his coaches he had sustained a concussion. That could cost the Medford School District $585,000, according to a lawsuit filed by his mother on Oct. 17.

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Megan Alt says her son's cognitive disabilities are the result of him being forced to play while concussed, by Highlands School District football coaches. Her lawsuit, filed in federal court in April 2011, cannot specify a dollar amount, but it is in excess of $75,000, says her attorney.

More than 125 former NFL players are suing the league (and in many instances, helmet-maker Riddell) and the NCAA has been named in a separate suit.

There are others.

NFL

Former NFL players are interested in three things; one, that changes be made to help prevent future players from suffering brain injury-related ailments as they age; two, that a medical process is established to provide care for as long as the players need it; and three, compensation. Some former players are unable to work due to long-term symptoms from brain injuries.

The NFL's position as stated by outside counsel Brad Karrp is that players knew there were risks associated with the game when they chose to play, and there was no misconduct on the part of the NFL.

High School

In Harris' case, the lawsuit states that he was struck in the first quarter of the game and then again in the second. He told his coaches after the second hit that he thought he had a concussion, but was allegedly told to keep playing and was returned to the game. Shortly afterward, he was struck for a third time, suffered a seizure, and lost consciousness. Taken by ambulance to the hospital, Harris was placed in a medically induced coma and admitted to the intensive care unit. According to the lawsuit, he suffered brain damage, along with post-concussive seizures and other symptoms.

Zachary Alt, now 19, is unable to work a full day due to numerous concussions he suffered as a varsity fullback in 2007 when he was a 15-year-old sophomore, according to the complaint. That season he suffered at least three concussions within the span of a few weeks, the last one when he was put back in the game after wandering "aimlessly" on the field from a previous hit. He has no recollection of his last block. Taken to the hospital, he was diagnosed with a significant concussion. Even though he missed much of the following semester and struggled with his schoolwork he was given straight-A's and graduated on time. The case is being heard in federal court on grounds that Alt was denied the right to an education. Alt's suit names the school principal, assistant principal, football coach, and athletic trainer as defendants.

Sources:

Ex-players sue NFL over lack of concussion warnings - The Salt Lake Tribune

Medford school sued over player's concussions - The Register-Guard.com

Family sues local school for concussion-related injuries - WPXI.com

Questions/comments? Contact Jean Rickerson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

On October ss, a class action suit was filed

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