Judge Halts Multimillion Dollar Concussion Settlement With NFL

A Philadelphia judge has halted the NFL’s $765 million concussion settlement with former players, suggesting too many other former players—not currently party to the lawsuit—were left out of the settlement’s benefits. NBC 10 explains:

 U.S. District Judge Anita Brody denied the settlement on grounds that the $760 million agreement didn’t do enough to address players not named in the original suit.

“Despite the potential benefits of class actions, their binding effect on absentee parties remains a significant concern,” wrote Brody in her 12-page opinion.

Brody said there needs to be a way to ensure that the 20,000 men not named in the current suit be potentially compensated over 65 years and that the $675 million might not be enough to properly do so. She said she is mostly concerned that not all retired players who are someday diagnosed with a related brain injury will be paid.

A downside for the NFL? Brody’s decision puts the concussion issue back in the headlines right before the Super Bowl.