1+-+POLS359+Football+Concussion

= Football Concussion Litigation =

*We should include our names before writing the post so we can know who is adding what
Here is an article that notes a correlation between Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and NFL players, especially those at high speed positions. There does not appear to be a proven causal relationship but the increased risk is interesting nonetheless. []
 * Jonathan Zarate**

An article that brings to attention the changes in cheerleading over the years and the increased level of severe injuries that occur as a result. []

Here is another article and video about risk of concussions for cheerleaders. []

Jovan Belcher ended up killing the mother of his child and then committing suicide presumably due to the effects of CTE on his emotion and judgement. []

This article examines what concussions are, how they are diagnosed and treated, and the mechanism of injury in accidents occurring in certain sports. []

This ESPN study by "Outside the Lines" examines how parents feel about the prevalence of concussion in the NFL and how they feel about their children playing the game. []

A murder case in Boston concerns the use of CTE as a legal defense of temporary insanity. []

President Obama comments on the dangers of football. []

Survey conducted by the Washington Post on public opinion concerning concussions in football. []

Here are some links that take a closer look into the class action lawsuit against the NCAA: Adrian Arrington (Plaintiff) V. NCAA and NCAA Football (Defendants) Location: US District Court For The Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division http://www.hbsslaw.com/Templates/media/files/case_pdfs/NCAA%20Concussions/Arrington%20NCAA%20Complaint.pdf http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/30/sports/ncaafootball/college-players-move-concussions-issue-into-the-courtroom.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 []
 * Peter Gountanis:**
 * NCAA:**

President Obama's stance on NCAA involvement when regarding football concussions linked here: []

One reason why NCAA Concussion may become more problematic is the amount of time these kids spend practicing viogrously each week: []

After further research, the most common argument behind why the NCAA is not more proactivewith NCAA football concussions: []

Here are links to two examples from last season of the broad and discretionary concussion guidelines that are currently in place by some Universities: [] []

Harsh criticism on the NCAA in this Entertainment UCLA Law Review piece: []

According to the Center of Disease Control, the NCAA has teamed up with them to provide concussion awareness to student athletes and coaches: []

[] [|http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-31/will-brain-injury-lawsuits-doom-or-save-the-nfl#p6] (NFL Concussion Piece by Business Week)


 * High School:**

I found this to be interesting because it gives a timeline of Medical findings on concussions, and any NFL action that took place to help combat this concussion dilemma.

[]

[|Concussion headlines]

The following article is only 42 pages but really closer to 20 with the footnotes. It was a perfect summary of what the background, current situation in litigation is, and potential consequences of a ruling would be. I based about half of my individual paper off of Beltoe's findings. [] [|Football and Torts: Two American Traditions and the NFL Concussion Litigation]  by Clark Belote


 * Aria Eckersley**


 * As of February 22, 2013, there are 4,127 named player-plaintiffs in the 214 concussion-related lawsuits. Including player's spouses, there are more than 5,500 plaintiffs total -- source: nflconcussionlitigation.com

Facts: In the case, Easterling along with 6 other NFL players and 5 of their wives sought seperate relief for medical monitoring, compensation and financial recovery following long-term injuries, financial loses, expenses and the pain and suffering endured by the plaintiffs as the result of the defendant's carelessness, misconduct and concealment of information related to each of the plaintiff's injuries and loses. Case: http://www.scribd.com/doc/78242119/Easterling
 * A federal lawsuit and class action was filed on August 17, 2011, //Easterling v. NFL//


 * Associated Press article from October 2012 regarding the culture change within the NFL due to spikes in concussions: []
 * Associated Press article from December 2011 about some NFL players still willing to hide concussions despite knowledge of the danger: []
 * Associated Press article from August 2012 citing the 43% decrease of concussions reported on kickoffs from 2010 to 2011 following a new NFL kickoff rule which also led to a slight decrease of overall concussions in the league: []
 * New York Times article from April 2011 explains how Madden NFL '12 games will highlight the seriousness of concussions by showing the players receive the concussion, leaving the field for the rest of the game, and announcers explaining that the player was removed for the seriousness of head injuries. This seems to be a direct impact of law on society: []- **Jonathan this might be of use to you for examining fan's reactions to litigation**
 * New York Times article from December 2009 explaining new NFL rules requiring players showing signs of concussions to be removed from practice or a game and prohibited from returning that same day: []
 * USA Today article from December 2012 who cites players talking about the fear of losing their jobs causing players to "hide" concussions: []