Appeals Court Affirms NFL Concussion Settlement

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Some former NFL players scored a key victory in a fight for healthcare Monday.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed a previously coordinated settlement between former football players and the NFL that granted funding for medical exams, concussion-related compensation and medical research, according to a press release from the Minneapolis-based law firm Zimmerman Reed, who represents some of the 4,500 players.

The initial lawsuit claimed that the NFL concealed the chronic, cumulative effects of repeated concussions. Plaintiffs sought a new policy from the NFL that would ban players from returning to the game after suffering serious head trauma, as well as compensation for any future medical expenses.

"This settlement would provide nearly $1 billion in value to the class of retired players," the appellate court's judgment said. "It is a testament to the players, researchers, and advocates who have worked to expose the true human costs of a sport so many love. Though not perfect, it is fair."

The initial settlement was released in April of last year.