NFL Concussions: Playerinjury.com Tracks Potentially Billions Of Dollars Worth Of Lawsuits

With possibly billions of dollars at stake, lawyers for many of the 300 former players suing the NFL over concussion-related health problems announced Tuesday the launch of a website that tracks the litigation.

The website, Playerinjury.com, already provides PDFs of the court filings, a questionnaire for athletes considering suing, a blog and related news articles. Attorney Craig Mitnick of Haddonfield, NJ, who formed the site with Philadelphia lawyer Gene Locks and some unidentified NFL retirees, told The Huffington Post the site is intended for both former and current players. The other goal of the site's creators is to raise awareness not just with football players, but among athletes in all sports with a possibility of head injury.

Mitnick said billions of dollars are at stake in the current lawsuits. Among the better-known plaintiffs are Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett and Super Bowl-champion quarterback Jim McMahon.

All together, the lawsuits accuse the NFL of hiding what it knew about the cumulative effects of repeated head trauma. While the NFL has repeatedly denied wrong-doing, high rates of depression, memory loss and early-onset Dementia have reportedly been found in many retired players. Several lawsuits filed by players have been consolidated in Philadelphia federal district court.

Mitnick said he expects the plaintiff list to grow exponentially. "I am confident that the numbers of retired NFL players [who will join the class action] will be into the thousands," he said. Some expect Playerinjury.com will play a role in making information better available to all.

"We need access to up-to-date information, accurate information, regarding the class action," former New York Jets safety Rich Miano said in a press release.

Comments

[frank day]

07:49 PM on 02/14/2012

Whether the NFL knew of the dangers or whether it did not,

the ethical highroad is to provide compensation to these bygone heroes who

helped build the NFL into the best sport in the world.

[allengoldchain]

06:31 PM on 02/14/2012

People just trying to destroy the sport. You all knew the risks and just trying to capitalize on it. Look at the vultures lawyers lining up for a quip buck. If I were the NFL I would make them all sign waivers or leave ASAP.

[Mary Karius]

01:15 PM on 02/15/2012

bunk. The NFL and the owners make BIG bucks of these athletes, that is until their usefulness has run out, then, well screw em