Tag Archives: NFL

Lawsuit Fumbles in Federal Court

Push for a penalty

As we rapidly approach football season, excited fans are preparing for their fantasy drafts.  In the midst of their discussions about previous player injuries, training camp, predictions for the season, and whatever else football fans talk about, they can add a recently dismissed lawsuit to their rapport.  A US District Court judge in New Orleans dismissed one of three federal lawsuits involving a disputed call in the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams NFC title game this past January.  In the game, NFL officials failed to acknowledge a pass interference in the form of a helmet-to-helmet hit, exchanged between Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman and Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis.  If the rules of NFL football were strictly adhered to, the Rams player should have been flagged for a penalty at this point in the game.  Continue reading

Concussions, CTE, & Closure

For the love of the game

The family of Junior Seau has reached settlement with the National Football League over his 2012 suicide. The Hall of Fame linebacker, who played more than half of his 20 year football career with the San Diego Chargers, took his own life at the age of 43. He was later diagnosed with CTE, a chronic form of brain damage, likely brought on by his violent on-field tackling in the NFL. Reports claim that Seau’s family will receive up to $4m in the wrongful death settlement, which was filed in a Philadelphia PA federal court. The NFL has come under fire over the last few years as more and more retired and former players are showing signs of brain damage, concussions, and dementia. Read more

No California Love for NFL’s Rams

Feeling sheepish

The National Football League is no stranger to off the field issues, and it looks like they’re going back to the courtroom. The City of St. Louis claims that the Rams, who have moved from Missouri to Los Angeles, have violated their own “relocation guidelines”. A group of about 100 plaintiffs is upset about how the Rams went about the process and are looking for their pound of flesh. Not only was the football franchise named, but also the NFL itself, plus it’s 32 league owners. St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Christopher McGraugh ruled that the lawsuit would not be dismissed or brought to arbitration, which is a win for the football fans in the mid-west. Ironically, the Rams have returned to prominence since going back to Los Angeles, on the strength of top draft pick Todd Gurley and 31-year-old head coach Sean McVay. Read More

Former NFL Players Rush to Meet Class Action Deadline

Head games

Former NFL football players who have suffered from neurological damage and head injuries foresee an approaching resolution to the six-year-long legal battle against the NFL. This fight initiated in 2011 and settled in 2013; however, it was determined that the $765 million settlement was not enough money to cover the cost of compensation for the 20,000 former NFL players involved in the lawsuit. In 2015, after extensive negotiations, a federal judge removed the limit of $765 million to leave room for a potentially higher payout. The family members of those whom have since passed away as a result of chronic head damage may also benefit from this lawsuit. Read more

Cheerleading Leads the Team to a Victory

Something to cheer about

The employees who are expected to show the most enthusiasm and team spirit are the same individuals who maintain their positions at the bottom of the Oakland Raiders pay scale. Former Cheerleaders for the team initiated a class action lawsuit against the NFL for unfair payment of wages. Although a legal settlement was reached in early 2014, the Raiders Cheerleaders have only recently reaped the benefits. Read more