Three lawsuits have been filed by retired National Football League players, seeking personal injury damages for concussions and other brain injuries caused during their active careers. There have been approximately eight prior lawsuits raising similar issues for head and brain injuries to football players, including New Jersey players.

The players contend that the professional football league knew that concussions on the football field could cause permanent impairment from serious brain injuries, but failed to properly and accurately share that information with players. Millions of dollars in damages are potentially at stake.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include hundreds of former professional football players, including Super Bowl champions. The players argue that many of them are experiencing such symptoms as depression, memory loss, or brain diseases of a degenerative nature. Other plaintiffs, although not now experiencing such symptoms, are fearful of developing them in the future. Therefore, they want the court to order the NFL to pay for medical monitoring of retired players to catch any such problems at the earliest possible time.

Some players claim that the league actively conspired to hide the problem from them, resulting in their return to active play too soon after incurring concussions on the playing field. The league allegedly told players that they were not risking serious brain injuries by returning to play, despite knowing differently.

The NFL is arguing that the players' claims are barred under the league's collectively bargaining contract with them. The league is also trying to prevent the players from actively taking depositions and gathering other evidence through discovery.

However, if there is evidence to support the players, they may be able to collect compensation for the injuries they have suffered as a result. The most recent suit is requesting compensation of at least $75,000 per player. Brain injuries can require years of medical treatment and attention. Therefore, a person who suffers this type of injury may want the liable party to compensate him or her for damages.

Source: Fox News, "More retired players join NFL concussion lawsuits," Jan. 19, 2012