Litigation

Today's Interview on WFAN-Some proposals for change in the NFL and in Schools to Prevent Brain Damage

By Michael Kaplen

Earlier today, I had the privilege of appearing on Bob Salter's morning talk show which was broadcast on WFAN.

In addition to discussing the signs and symptoms of a concussion, I also has the opportunity to discuss some of my ideas on how to improve the safety of football players and all athletes. 

I proposed that the league prohibit teams from terminating players who have sustained brain injuries and thereby terminate all payments to that individual.  Currently, a player whose contract is terminated as a result of injury, loses all future income under that agreement.  No wonder that players are hesitant to report symptoms of aa concussion.  They are afraid of losing their contract and all future income.  This is a major disincentive to report the signs and symptoms of a concussion and this disincentive must be eliminated in contract discussions that are now going on between the league and the player's association.  It is only fair that if a player is sacrificing his brain for the benefit of the team and the league, if he is injured, his contract is honored.

I also proposed that the NFL disability plan reopen the files of players who have been denied brain injury disability benefits and re-examine their entitlement to these benefits.  Now that  the league has found religion and recognizes the consequences of brain trauma and concedes that even mild brain injuries can lead to permanent disability, they must reopen the files of players who were wrongfully denied benefits.  Of course, you need impartial and independent reviewers to look at these files and I volunteered to be on any such panel created by the NFL.

I also discussed the need to make pre-season base line testing mandatory for all children engaged in all sports.  To do this, there must be changes under existing insurance laws to provide insurance medical benefits for this testing.  Current insurance plans do not cover this type of testing and many school districts and parents cannot afford the costs.  Under the new health care legislation, preventivie medicine must be included as a mandatory benefit.  Regulations need to be drafted that include mandatory base line testing as a category of mandatory preventive medical care for the prevention of brain damage to your nation's youth.

Bob Salter and I had a great discussion.  He certainly is concerned about the health and safety of all athletes. I look forward to having future discussions with him in the weeks and months to come.

Full post as published by Brain Injury News and Information on August 22, 2010 (boomark / email).