Supreme Court declines to review NFL concussion settlement

[JURIST]

The US Supreme Court [official website] denied [order list, PDF] review of two class action lawsuit settlements Monday related to concussion injuries suffered by players in the National Football League [website]. The $1 billion settlement between the NFL and more than 20,000 retired players has been challenged by some of those players in two different suits, Armstrong vs. National Football League and Gilchrist vs. National Football League [dockets]. In their decision [opinion] to let the settlement between the NFL and the retired players stand, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit [official website] wrote, "It is the nature of a settlement that some will be dissatisfied with the result."

[W]e do not doubt that objectors are well-intentioned in making thoughtful arguments against certification of the class and approval of this settlement. They aim to ensure that the claims of retired players are not given up in exchange for anything less than a generous settlement agreement negotiated by very able representatives. But they risk making the perfect the enemy of the good. This settlement will provide nearly $1 billion in value to the class of retired players. 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. [MORE]