Case Will Test N.F.L. Teams’ Liability in Dementia

[Jangler]

The claim was filed by Dr. Eleanor Perfetto on behalf of her husband, Ralph Wenzel, contending that his dementia at 67 is related to his career as an N.F.L. lineman from 1966 to 1973.

California’s workers’ compensation system provides a unique, and relatively unknown, haven for retired professional athletes among the 50 states, allowing hundreds of long-retired veterans each year to file claims for injuries sustained decades before. Players need not have played for California teams or be residents of the state; they had to participate in just one game in the state to be eligible to receive lifetime medical care for their injuries from the teams and their insurance carriers.

But Dr. Perfetto’s contention that Mr. Wenzel’s dementia relates to his football employment represents a significant shift, several lawyers involved in the California system said. They estimated the case’s potential value at more than $1 million if it reaches its conclusion, probably in two or three years.

Given the dozens and perhaps hundreds of players who could file similar claims, experts in the California system said N.F.L. teams and their insurers could be facing liability of $100 million or more. They identified a wide spectrum of possible effects: these costs could merely represent a financial nuisance for a league that recorded $8.5 billion in revenue last year, or, if insurance costs rise drastically because of such claims, the N.F.L. could be forced to alter its rules to reduce head trauma. Officials already are considering decreased contact in practice and forbidding linemen from using the three-point stance.

“Medical science has recently put those puzzle pieces together — that hitting your head over and over on the football field causes certain conditions,” Mr. Feenberg said. “All of these hits could have injured Ralph Wenzel’s spine. But they didn’t. They injured his brain.”

Dennis Curran, the N.F.L.’s senior vice president for labor litigation and policy, said in a statement Monday that the league was already assisting players with dementia by reimbursing medical expenses and offering financial assistance to players who could not afford doctors’ visits.

“Any workers’ compensation claim will be evaluated and addressed on its merits and the relevant provisions of state law and the collective bargaining agreement,” Mr. Curran said.

read more here...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/06/sports/football/06worker.html?ref=us

[CLTPanther]

“Medical science has recently put those puzzle pieces together — that hitting your head over and over on the football field causes certain conditions,” Mr. Feenberg said. “All of these hits could have injured Ralph Wenzel’s spine. But they didn’t. They injured his brain.”

Hmm so all the scientist thought getting your head smashed in week after week would make the brain work better?

[LelouchBritannia]

I don't get it. So he decided that he wanted to play football and be on the gridiron every week. 30 years later he wants money because he wanted to play nfl football and got the chance? No one forced him out onto the field...

Guess i'm not really surprised, we live in a country where you can accidentally spill hot coffee on yourself and get a million dollars in court.

[Ricky Spanish]

I don't get it. So he decided that he wanted to play football and be on the gridiron every week. 30 years later he wants money because he wanted to play nfl football and got the chance? No one forced him out onto the field...

Guess i'm not really surprised, we live in a country where you can accidentally spill hot coffee on yourself and get a million dollars in court.

i kind of feel for the guy here. if you got mesothelioma from putting up asbestos back in the 70s, wouldn't you feel inclined to receive some sort of compensation for the hazard?

[bleys]

i kind of feel for the guy here. if you got mesothelioma from putting up asbestos back in the 70s, wouldn't you feel inclined to receive some sort of compensation for the hazard?

good analogy..

I can see both sides, but in the end, it's the NFL who makes a poo ton of money without any adverse affects.. with that said, the players dedicate their bodies (and mind) only to get tossed on their ass once they are used up....

then again, lawyers (alone) can turn this into something ridiculous..

[pantherfan49]

i kind of feel for the guy here. if you got mesothelioma from putting up asbestos back in the 70s, wouldn't you feel inclined to receive some sort of compensation for the hazard?

The difference being that some guy in the 70s didn't know asbestos was a dangerous substance, so he wasn't fully aware of the risks when he took the job.

An NFL player having brain injuries later is not quite the same.

[jramsey4]

i kind of feel for the guy here. if you got mesothelioma from putting up asbestos back in the 70s, wouldn't you feel inclined to receive some sort of compensation for the hazard?

I would agree with you but with the Case of asbestos manufactures they willing endangered people who had no idea it was dangerous. When you go out on that field you take a chance that you will never walk off it (kids even take this chance not getting a cent). You take that chance because of the love of the game (back when he played) or now because you get paid a sh*t ton of money to do it.

Its not like owners knew that long term hits on the head would cause dementia. It should have been common sense to anyone playing that what you are doing is not good for in the long term on any part of your body. Still the NFL should have some kind of policy that they at least pay for medical expenses.

[Wither]

30 years later he wants money because he wanted to play nfl football and got the chance? No one forced him out onto the field...

Doesn't he have dementia? Why would he be filing a suit?

The claim was filed by Dr. Eleanor Perfetto on behalf of her husband, Ralph Wenzel

Did you read ANYTHING?

[Lumps]

What about a soldier who gets hurt, he knew what he was going into why should anyone pay his medical bills? How about a fireman, they know fire is dangerous, if they get burned why should anyone care? Or maybe a simple janitor who now has lung problems after working for so many years...I am sure they knew the chemicals they were using were harmful.

The NFL makes tons of money and they should have programs in place. It is a dangerous Job, there are many out there, all with risks to harm employees, if that happens I do think the company should at least help with the bills. The guy's are making the NFL billions, the classy thing to do would be to help take care of them.

[Ricky Spanish]

What about a soldier who gets hurt, he knew what he was going into why should anyone pay his medical bills? How about a fireman, they know fire is dangerous, if they get burned why should anyone care? Or maybe a simple janitor who now has lung problems after working for so many years...I am sure they knew the chemicals they were using were harmful.

The NFL makes tons of money and they should have programs in place. It is a dangerous Job, there are many out there, all with risks to harm employees, if that happens I do think the company should at least help with the bills. The guy's are making the NFL billions, the classy thing to do would be to help take care of them.

well said. back in the 60's and 70's I'm sure they had no idea the ramifications that playing football would have on their bodies in the future. with the medical advancements and tests we have now, we now understand that you can be pretty damn fugged up from playing football as a career.

these were also the players that weren't making millions and millions of dollars. They were just happy to be playing and playing manly (minus namath). they deserve a little help with their bills

[jramsey4]

What about a soldier who gets hurt, he knew what he was going into why should anyone pay his medical bills? How about a fireman, they know fire is dangerous, if they get burned why should anyone care? Or maybe a simple janitor who now has lung problems after working for so many years...I am sure they knew the chemicals they were using were harmful.

The NFL makes tons of money and they should have programs in place. It is a dangerous Job, there are many out there, all with risks to harm employees, if that happens I do think the company should at least help with the bills. The guy's are making the NFL billions, the classy thing to do would be to help take care of them.

If your refering to me I did say they need to cover medical expenses but they shouldn't be sued because of getting the condition. If they are just doing it to get them to change policy fine but thats not what this is about is it. Its about money. And if you don't think that vets don't get screwed by the system as well you are sadly mistaken unfortunately for them its a little hard to sue the government.