NFL Concussion Litigation: Late Chicago Bear Dave Duerson

NFL Concussion Litigation:  Corboy & Demetrio Comments on the Proposed $765 million NFL Settlement

Corboy & Demetrio, which represents the families of Dave Duerson and Forrest Blue, and former Chicago Bears quarterback Bobby Douglas and many other plaintiffs in the NFL concussion case which have all been consolidated before Senior United States District Judge Anita Brody in Philadelphia, confirmed today that the NFL has proposed a $765 million settlement of all of the concussion-related lawsuits. 

Corboy & Demetrio’s two lead lawyers in this litigation, founding partner Thomas A. Demetrio and William T. Gibbs, are only cautiously optimistic with respect to a complete resolution of this matter.  Demetrio noted, “The $765 million is certainly not an insult or an inconsequential offer.  Nevertheless, its true import is the acknowledgment by the NFL that the lawsuits filed by the over 4,500 players are meritorious.”

According to Gibbs, “While the details regarding each plaintiff’s share of any potential settlement still need to be worked out, we are hopeful that the talented men who gave so much to make the NFL what it is today can be taken care of 20, 30, 40, 50 years after their retirement.  As we have said from day one of our filing of the Dave Duerson case, this was a wrong that needed to be righted.” 

“Today’s acknowledgment,” according to Gibbs, “is a giant step in that direction.”

Corboy & Demetrio will comment as time goes on and future details develop and emerge.