The concussion lawsuit against the NHL
Three lawsuits filed by retired NHL players over concussion-related injuries have been consolidated and will be heard by a federal judge in Minnesota. A special panel assigned the cases to U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson of St. Paul.
The order says Minnesota provides a central location for parties and witnesses, including those from Canada. It consolidates lawsuits filed by more than 200 former players in Minnesota, New York and Washington.
The lawsuits are similar to those on behalf of ex-NFL players, which resulted in an $870 million settlement. The NCAA agreed to a $70 million settlement in another concussion lawsuit.
The plaintiffs are represented by the Twin Cities law firms of Bassford Remele and Zelle Hofmann Voelbel & Mason.
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On The Daily Circuit, we discuss the lawsuits and what the continuing research into sport concussions could mean for professional sports.
The NHL declined through a spokesman to join the discussion on The Daily Circuit and referred us to a statement the league made in November by Bill Daly, the NHL's deputy commissioner:
We are aware of the class action lawsuit filed today in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of a group of former NHL Players. While the subject matter is very serious, we are completely satisfied with the responsible manner in which the League and the Players' Association have managed Player safety over time, including with respect to head injuries and concussions. We intend to defend the case vigorously and have no further comment at this time.