Personal Injury Law

National Football League Supports New Findings in Concussion Research

By Bruce Stern

The New York Times reported Sunday that after months of research and many debates, the National Football League has agreed to support research which states that concussions sustained during play have lasting and devastating effects on players. Greg Aiello, league spokesman, agreed that research proves that concussions can lead to long-term problems.

The NFL's change in opinion came after months of hearings before the House Judiciary Committee, in which the league's current treatment of players with brain injuries was compared to that of the tobacco industry's concern regarding consumers. Additionally, the N.F.L. has accepted the resignations of the co-chairmen of its concussion committee and has made major changes to policies overseeing concussion management. For example, players now must be cleared by brain-injury experts unaffiliated with the team, and cannot return to a game or practice in which they have shown any significant sign of concussion.

This is a great step in the right direction for the recognition and treatment of players with head injuries. You can read more on this story online here.

Full post as published by Traumatic Brain Injury Law Blog on December 23, 2009 (boomark / email).