NHL Agrees to $19M Players’ Head Trauma Class Action Settlement

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A class action lawsuit filed by hundreds of former National Hockey League (NHL) players over concussion and head trauma claims might be ending with a $19 million settlement.

More than 300 retired players initiated the NHL class action lawsuit over their allegations that concussions sustained while playing in the league caused them lifelong problems.

The NHL class action lawsuit was filed by retired hockey players who sustained critical head injuries due to falls on the ice during their active years.

Some experts believe the $19 million proposed NHL class action settlement isn’t enough given the evidence on the side of the plaintiffs.

Each player would be eligible to receive around $22,000 personally in addition to a further $75,000 if that player tested positive for some neurological issues.

Furthermore, the NHL class action lawsuit settlement would set aside $2.5 million in a fund to support the general welfare and health of retired players, even those who were not active in the lawsuit.

The NHL class action lawsuit sought to represent nearly 5,000 Class Members who were former players. The NHL class action was seeking medical monitoring for all former players who could have been at risk for head injuries.

According to the allegations in the NHL class action lawsuit, these players suffer from many different types of disorders and brain diseases as a result of the concussions and head trauma they sustained in their playing days.

Some examples of the medical conditions named in the NHL class action lawsuit include Alzheimer’s, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and dementia. The hockey players allege they developed these problems due to head injuries incurred on the ice.

The NHL class action lawsuit did not receive Class certification in July. The judge overseeing that decision held that the certification was dependent on various state laws impacting where the players played as well as lived. At that point, mediation was required in an effort to resolve the ongoing litigation.

Those involved in the mediation for the NHL class action lawsuit say that both parties have been in constant negotiation since Class certification was denied. The settlement does not mean that the NHL admits to any liability.

“The NHL does not acknowledge any liability for any of plaintiffs’ claims in these cases,” the league said in a statement. “However, the parties agree that the settlement is a fair and reasonable resolution and that it is in the parties’ respective best interests to receive the benefits of the settlement and to avoid the burden, risk and expense of further litigation.”

The NHL class action settlement would require the involved players to release the league from their claims. Those who decide not to take the settlement could pursue individual injury claims.

The NHL class action lawsuit was originally filed in November 2013 when 10 previous NHL players proposed the case in federal court in D.C.

The retired players argued that the NHL knew that severe head injuries heightened player risk for neurological issues but continued to support violence in games.

Top Class Actions will post updates to this class action settlement as they become available. For the latest updates, keep checking TopClassActions.com or sign up for our free newsletter. You can also receive notifications when this article is updated by using your free Top Class Actions account and clicking the “Follow Article” button at the top of the post.

The co-lead counsel in the NHL class action lawsuit are attorneys from Zimmerman Reed LLP, Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP, Silverman Thompson Slutkin & White LLC and Bassford Remele.

The NHL Head Trauma Injuries Class Action Lawsuit is In re: National Hockey League Players’ Concussion Injury Litigation, Case No. 0:14-md-02551, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.