Tag: University of Texas

NCAA Concussion Litigation

NCAA Concussion Lawsuit Settles After Three Days In Court

Posted by Jeff Raizner on

Although many NCAA concussion lawsuits have been filed in courts across the country, it wasn’t until early this month that one of these cases finally made it to trial. Debra Hardin-Ploetz would have finally been able to share the tragic story of her late husband who was diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE after his death. Although nothing can reverse her or her late husband’s suffering, Ms. Hardin-Ploetz did get some justice as her case settled just three days into the trial.

Ms. Hardin-Ploetz’s late husband, Greg Ploetz, played as a linebacker and defensive tackle for the University of Texas at Austin football team from 1968 to 1971. Later in his life, Mr. Ploetz suffered from a myriad of neurological issues, including depression and memory loss. Research connecting the concussions sustained during football and long-term neurological issues has existed since the 1970s; however, the NCAA and universities ignored this evidence for decades.

The settlement came after hearing testimony from several witnesses. The jury listened to Boston University neurologist Dr. Robert Cantu discuss his concussion research with football players and explain the effects of repeated impacts on the brain to an individual’s long-term health and wellbeing. The jury also considered the deposition of the NCAA’s Chief Medical Officer, neurologist Brain Hainline, in which Dr. Hainline acknowledged the link between concussions sustained while playing football and long-term degenerative brain disorders.

It is no coincidence that the NCAA agreed to settle the case out of court immediately after the jury heard compelling evidence from both Dr. Cantu and Dr. Hainline. Although this only represents the resolution of one case, the NCAA is facing many more concussion lawsuits and may decide to settle the remaining cases, bringing just a little bit of peace to injured players and their loved ones.

NCAA Concussion Litigation

The experienced concussion lawyers at Raizner Slania LLP are representing former college football players and other athletes in lawsuits against the NCAA and other responsible parties. If you played collegiate football, contact us immediately to learn your legal rights and hold the NCAA responsible. All of our consultations are free, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe us anything unless we help you recover compensation.

First NCAA Concussion Lawsuit

First NCAA Concussion Lawsuit Goes To Trial

Posted by Jeff Raizner on

For decades, football has been one of America’s most watched sports. Every year, thousands of student athletes help universities across the country earn millions of dollars in revenue from college football games. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and its member schools continue to make profits off of student athletes, too often with limited regard for the long term impact of concussion injuries. Studies showing the long-term effects of concussions sustained while playing football have existed for decades. Despite this, the NCAA did not adopt appropriate protocols that would have reduced the brain damage caused during gameplay.

For one family, justice may be soon at hand as the first NCAA concussion lawsuit begins on Monday, June 11, 2018 in a Dallas courtroom.

Greg Ploetz played football at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) in 1968, 1969, and 1971. Unfortunately, the concussions Mr. Ploetz sustained while playing for UT caused him to suffer from a variety of neurological conditions later in his life. Mr. Ploetz’s wife described the numerous health problems he suffered throughout his life, saying he “became apathetic, disinhibited, exhibited compulsive behaviors, and his personal hygiene began to decline. He experienced paranoia and confusion, was psychiatrically hospitalized, and was in and out of respite homes due to aggressive behaviors.”

Mr. Ploetz passed away in 2015, and neurologists at Boston University posthumously diagnosed him with Stage IV Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE. Stage IV is the most advanced and severe version of the disease. CTE is a progressive degenerative disease found in the brain that is caused by repeated head trauma. When the brain experiences repeated trauma, it builds up a type of protein called Tau (T-proteins) that slowly kills brain cells over time. T-proteins will continue to kill brain cells even once the repeated trauma has discontinued, and symptoms of CTE often occur months or years after the trauma has ended. Unfortunately, Mr. Ploetz isn’t the only football player to suffer from CTE. Researchers from Boston University found that 91 percent of college football players suffered from CTE.

The NCAA Had A Responsibility To Protect Student Athletes

As the governing body of collegiate sports, the NCAA had a responsibility to look after the health and wellbeing of its athletes. Tragically, the NCAA put profits before its players by failing to educate students on the long-term side effects of concussions and failing to adopt protocols and provide medical treatment that could have lessened brain damage and other side effects.

NCAA Football Players Deserve Justice

Former NCAA football players all around the country are suffering from devastating and degenerative conditions from concussions sustained during play. NCAA football players deserve justice for the NCAA’s gross failure to protect them. If you or someone you love played collegiate football and suffered adverse health conditions as a result, contact Raizner Slania LLP immediately. We are representing NCAA football players and helping them get compensation for their injuries. Call us today for a free consultation to learn about your legal options.