Judge OKs 65-year deal over concussions - Sports - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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2015-04-25

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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Friday Emergency services Living with wildlife Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport 10 things to know for Thursday Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Medford robbery suspect arrested after pursuit in Bend Dispose of documents and prescription drugs safely on Saturday Emergency services Teenager struck, killed by pickup Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. 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Mangino: Faulty hair analysis has far-reaching implications Granlund cartoon: Paging Dr. Oz Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District Letters to the Editor, April 24 Michael Gerson: 'The Road to Character' starts with humility Editorials Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District Our View: Public's right to film police should be protected Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again Other Views: Delay edible marijuana products for safety Our View: The rule of law vs. armed confrontation Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 24 Letters to the Editor, April 23 Letters to the Editor, April 22 Letters to the Editor, April 21 Letters to the Editor, April 20 Columns Michael Gerson: 'The Road to Character' starts with humility Dana Milbank: The right's new claim: same-sex marriage is deadly Kathleen Parker: Mr. Hughes goes to Washington Esther Cepeda: What happens in Latin America should be reported Kathleen Parker: Presidential election 2016: The woman trap Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: 'Good' sushi may be more rare than real wasabi Anniversary: Bobbie and Don Mills celebrate 60 years together Anniversary: Wayne and Shirley Tinnin celebrate 50 years together Community blog: Jackson County Votes to Pay Wildlife Services: the War on Wildlife continues ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Food Community blog: 'Good' sushi may be more rare than real wasabi Community blog: Oregon Breweries to grow or seriously to grow? 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Restaurant inspections: April 19, 2015 Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW   Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District       ...       Saving money, making money with trout       ...       Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute       ...       Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District       ...       Saving money, making money with trout       ...       Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute       ...           NFL Judge OKs 65-year deal over concussions Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 22, 2015 at 6:06 PM By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 22, 2015 at 6:06 PM »  Social News PHILADELPHIA — A federal judge has approved a settlement agreement that is expected to cost the NFL $1 billion over 65 years to resolve thousands of concussion lawsuits. NFL actuaries project about 6,000 of the league's nearly 20,000 retired players could someday develop Alzheimer's disease or moderate dementia over the life of the deal approved Wednesday by a federal judge in Philadelphia. The average individual award would be about $190,000. Awards could reach $1 million to $5 million for those diagnosed in their 30s and 40s with Parkinson's disease or Lou Gehrig's disease, or for deaths involving chronic brain trauma. The benefits process could start this summer, but any appeal would delay all payments indefinitely. "What matters now is time, and many retired players do not have much left," said plaintiff Kevin Turner, a former New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles running back who has Lou Gehrig's disease. The league has been dogged for years by complaints that it long hid the risks of repeated concussions to return players to the field. Senior U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody approved the settlement after twice sending it back to lawyers over concerns the fund might run out. The negotiators did not increase the original $765 million plan, but agreed to remove that number as the cap. The settlement approval, a week before the NFL draft, ends a nearly four-year legal fight. Critics contend the NFL is getting off lightly given annual revenues of about $10 billion. But a trial could have delayed the financial awards and medical testing for years, plaintiff's lawyers Christopher Seeger and Sol Weiss said. "With over 99 percent participation, it is clear the retired player community overwhelmingly supports this agreement," the lawyers said in a conference call. The deal means the NFL may never have to disclose what it knew when about the risks and treatment of concussions. However, the NFL has acknowledged the concussion epidemic publicly, changing protocols for evaluating injured players during games and launching an advertising and social media campaign to promote safe play at all levels of football. NFL general counsel Jeff Pash said that Brody's approval "powerfully underscores the fairness and propriety" of the settlement. In her 132-page opinion, Brody agreed with the lead negotiators that the settlement could exclude future claims involving chronic traumatic encephalopathy, even as critics like neurologist Robert Stern of Boston University call CTE "the industrial disease of football." Brody said neither the disease nor any definitive symptoms can yet be diagnosed in the living. "The settlement does compensate the cognitive symptoms allegedly associated with CTE," Brody wrote, and "requires the parties to confer in good faith about possible revisions ... based on scientific developments." The total NFL payouts over 65 years, including interest and $112 million sought for lawyer fees, is expected to exceed $1 billion. "From a business point of view, (the NFL has) ... avoided what may have been the biggest risk to their continued prosperity," said Andrew Brandt, director of the sports law program at Villanova University law school. "Removing this as a threat is extraordinary." The NFL lawsuits, and similar suits filed later against the NHL, the NCAA and others, have fostered debate, discussion and safety reforms about sports concussions. Yet the NFL games seem to be as wildly popular as ever. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Apr. 22, 2015 at 6:06 PM » Comment or view comments   Reader Reaction »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football Fantasy Football Outlook for Seahawks Stars  Apr. 22, 2015 at 3:05 am 2015 Fantasy Outlook for Chargers' Stars  Apr. 17, 2015 at 6:15 am Fantasy Outlook for Dolphins Stars  Apr. 14, 2015 at 6:37 am Biggest Fantasy Winners, Losers in Free Agency  Apr. 8, 2015 at 2:45 am Fantasy Football Outlook for Bears Stars  Apr. 7, 2015 at 1:09 am RBs Ready to Break Out on New Teams  Apr. 2, 2015 at 10:21 am calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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