Raizner Slania filed a lawsuit on behalf of a former University of Richmond football player against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for failing to protect from and properly educate student athletes about the long-term side effects of concussions.
The plaintiff played college football for the University of Richmond from 1987 to 1991 as a defensive tackle. He recalls suffering from at least five concussions during his time playing for the university. The concussions were so severe, that after a particularly devastating concussion during a game, doctors advised the plaintiff to stop playing football. Although he never played football again, the damage to his brain was already done.
As a result of his time playing college football for the University of Richmond, the plaintiff now suffers from depression, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, memory loss, numbness and tingling, sleeping disorders, traumatic brain injury, and other debilitating issues.
Although the plaintiff sustained repetitive concussions during practices and games for their profit, the NCAA and the University of Richmond failed to adopt or implement adequate concussion management protocols or return to play guidelines.
The NCAA acts as the governing body of over 400,000 student-athletes to protect them from harm, advance their goals, and enrich their lives. Despite this, the NCAA turned a blind eye to evidence linking repeated head trauma to long-term and debilitating side effects that has existed for decades.
How Do Repeated Concussions Harm The Brain?
When a person experiences a concussion or traumatic brain injury, the brain moves around inside the skull and even smashes into the walls of the cranium. This causes the brain to stretch, tear, and bruise. The neuronal cells inside the brain can suffer damage or even die, which can cause neurological side effects. When neuronal cells die, they release a chemical that can cause further damage to the brain.
NCAA Concussion Injury Lawsuit Attorneys
Many long-term effects of concussions are degenerative, and former college football players may not begin to experience symptoms for many years after their last game. If you or someone you love sustained a concussion while playing football for an NCAA regulated team, call the NCAA concussion injury lawyers at Raizner Slania today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.