Raizner Slania filed a concussion lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) on behalf of a former University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) college football player.
The plaintiff played college football for Ole Miss from 2001 to 2005 as a nose tackle and defensive tackle. He suffered a number of concussions during practices and games. In particular, he recalls getting hit so hard during the 2003 and 2004 seasons that he would experience impaired vision, headaches, sensitivity to light, and vomiting.
During the time the plaintiff played football for Ole Miss, there were no adequate concussion management protocols or policies in place to address and treat concussions sustained by student-athletes during practices and games. Every time the plaintiff suffered a concussive or sub-concussive hit, he was quickly returned to the field of play and denied the appropriate medical attention necessary to protect him from the long-term side effects of concussions.
As a result of his time playing college football for Ole Miss, the plaintiff now suffers from depression, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, irritability, sleeping disorders, and other debilitating issues.
The NCAA governs more than 400,000 student athletes across the U.S. with the goal of safeguarding their health and wellbeing both on and off the field. The SEC was established in 1932 specifically to direct and organize interscholastic athletic competitions, conduct tournaments, and prescribe rules for student-athletes.
Neither the NCAA nor the SEC implemented the protocols and guidelines they knew were necessary to protect student athletes from the long-term consequences of concussions sustained during play. Although universities like Ole Miss contribute to the millions of dollars in profits of the NCAA and the SEC, the NCAA and SEC failed to safeguard the health of student-athletes.
Raizner Slania: Concussion Lawsuit Attorneys
The NCAA and its conferences and universities have a responsibility to put student athletes’ wellbeing before profits. If you or someone you love sustained a concussion while playing football for an NCAA regulated team, the experienced trial attorneys at Raizner Slania can explain your legal options and protect your rights. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.