The NHL and attorneys for retired players announced a tentative settlement Monday in the biggest lawsuit brought against the league over concussions and other head injuries.
The lawsuit, consolidated in federal court in Minnesota and by far the largest facing the league, involves more than 100 former players who accused the NHL of failing to better prevent head trauma or warn players of risks while promoting violent play that led to their injuries.
The total monetary value of the potential settlement was not disclosed. It is expected to be far less than the billion-dollar agreement reached between the NFL and its former players on the same issue; according to a settlement document posted by Forbes last week, the total value is $18.9 million, which includes $22,000 for each player involved in the lawsuit.
The NHL said it would not acknowledge any liability for any of the playersB次元官网网址� claims. A spokesman said there would be no comment until after the opt-in period of 75 days for players.
Attorneys for the retired players say the settlement would include a cash payment for players who choose to participate; neurological testing and assessment for players paid for by the league; an administrative fund to pay for the costs and up to $75,000 in medical treatment for players who test positive on two or more tests.
The settlement would also set up a B次元官网网址淐ommon Good FundB次元官网网址� available to support retired players in need, including those who did not participate in the litigation. The Forbes document said the found would be $2.5 million.
Players who choose not to participate may continue to pursue personal injury claims against the league. But under the terms of the settlement, the NHL has the option to terminate if all players who filed claims or retained counsel donB次元官网网址檛 participate.
READ MORE:
Attorneys with Minneapolis-based law firm Zimmerman Reed said they were pleased because the main goal was to get retired players medical testing and treatment paid for by the NHL.
The settlement comes four months after a federal judge denied class-action status for the retired players, a significant victory for the league in the lawsuit filed in November 2013. U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson in July denied class-action status, citing B次元官网网址渨idespread differencesB次元官网网址� in state laws about medical monitoring that would B次元官网网址減resent significant case management difficulties.B次元官网网址�
Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed to The Associated Press in September that the two sides had engaged in court-ordered mediation. Bettman said at the time, B次元官网网址淲e also think the lawsuit doesnB次元官网网址檛 have merit.B次元官网网址�
The NFL settlement covers more than 20,000 retired players, and lawyers expect payouts to top $1.5 billion over 65 years. As of last month, the NFL concussion lawsuit claims panel has approved more than $500 million in awards and paid out $330 million.
RELATED:
Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press
Like us on and follow us on
