On-Field Football Concussions

Head injuries sustained by professional football players in the form of concussions have become a subject of a recent Seeger Weiss action, much study and even Congressional hearings in the United States.

According to the New York Times, neurologists say that once a person suffers a concussion in football, the player is as much as four times more likely to sustain a second one. And, after several football concussions, it takes less of a blow to cause a serious head injury with more recovery time.

Studies on Football Players and Concussions


A 2000 study focusing on football players and concussions surveyed 1,090 former N.F.L. players and found more than 60 percent had suffered at least one concussion in their careers and 26 percent had had three or more. Those who had had concussions reported more problems with memory, concentration, speech impediments, headaches and other neurological problems than those who had not, the survey found.

A sequent 2007 study conducted by the University of North Carolina's Center for the Study of Retired Athletes found that of the 595 retired NFL players who recalled sustaining three or more football concussions, 20.2 percent said they had been found to have depression. That is three times the rate of players who have not sustained concussions.

Latest Developments


On December, 21, 2011, the NFL reported that an independent trainer would be at each NFL game to watch for potential football concussions. This unbiased trainer would provide another set of eyes and additional safeguard. The league’s new protocol is a direct result of what transpired with the treatment—or lack of treatment—of Cleveland Browns’ quarterback Colt McCoy after he was hit on the head during a game on Dec. 8.

The Browns said no trainer on the sideline saw McCoy’s helmet-to-helmet hit from James Harrison in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Because McCoy did not exhibit or complain of concussion symptoms, he was not given the proper football concussion test on the sideline.

Hopefully, the new independent trainer will prevent this serious mistake from happening again.


As lead attorney for the latest football concussion case filed on December 6, 2011, we have access to the latest studies and statistics. If you have also suffered a football concussion by the negligence of another, contact us.

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