The growing awareness of the frequency of concussion head injuries in contact sports has given rise to a widespread perception that American sport is undergoing a “concussion crisis.” Mounting evidence from the field of neuro-pathological research appears to confirm the seriousness of the problem, and it is already clear that the issue has found its way to the courtroom.
The new awareness of the frequency and severity of concussions has already given rise a wide array of liability questions at all levels of competitive sports. Issues range from those related to the effectiveness of the design of football helmets, to the liability of high school, college, and professional sports teams for creating playing environments in which concussions occur and in which players are sometimes expected to resume play before they are fully recovered, to questions of the accountability for injuries that occurred in the distant past when awareness of the debilitating effects of “ordinary” head injuries were not recognized, to questions regarding the applicability of liability waivers and the defense of assumption of risk.
In just one example of the growing concern regarding this issue, by the middle of May 2012, more than 1000 former National Football League players had already filed suit against their former employer, alleging that the NFL had not adequately warned its players of the dangers of head injuries and was not doing enough in the present to address the delayed consequences of those injuries.
The panelists possess extensive legal expertise on issues relating to tort liability in the context of athletic participation, as well as first-hand experience in the sports industry. In addition to liability issues, the panelists will also address the appropriateness of legislative intervention into the sports world on behalf of participant safety.
Business Meeting at Program Conclusion.