‘Predators eye NFL concussion victims’
Timmons suspended indefinitely
PHILADELPHIA, Sept 20, (Agencies): Lawyers for former NFL players now eligible for payments under the league's $1 billion concussion settlement said Tuesday they've found evidence that unscrupulous third-party providers are trying to take advantage of players with significant brain damage.
Christopher Seeger, a lawyer who represented the class of more than 20,000 former NFL players, and co-counsel TerriAnne Benedetto told the judge that some players entered contracts with exorbitantly high interest rates for advances on their eventual claims, while others agreed to high fees.
They have been investigating groups like claims service providers and lenders at the request of US District Judge Anita Brody. The hearing was to present their findings, and they asked the judge to extend her order so they could continue investigating, to see if additional action should be taken such as a criminal investigation.
"The last thing I want to happen is to watch these awards be cannibalized," Seeger said.
Benedetto told the court one firm even touted itself as being able to coach former players on how to take neurological tests to get inaccurate results to qualify them for payments.
The settlement, which took effect in January, resolved thousands of lawsuits that accused the NFL of hiding what it knew about the risks of repeated concussions.
It covers retired players who develop Lou Gehrig's disease, dementia or other neurological problems believed to be caused by concussions suffered during their pro careers, with awards as high as $5 million for the most serious cases. Participants had to register by Aug. 7, and Seeger told the court Tuesday that over 20,000 had registered by the deadline.
A notice to eligible players, approved by the judge this year, said that some players had signed contracts with third-party providers for up to 15 percent of their eventual awards. The providers offered to guide players through a claims process they advertised as difficult. In reality, the notice said, "none of the steps are complicated," and a courtappointed claims administrator helped players register or file claims free of charge.
Former NFL linebacker Brandon Siler, who runs the company Legacy Pro Sports, which helps guide retired players through the claims process, said Monday that he's providing a valuable service to players who need it. It was
Seeger
among the client services providers cited at the hearing.
Siler said the claims process wasn't as easy as advertised, especially for men suffering cognitive impairment.
"I don't mislead," he said. "I don't take advantage of my guys. I am there for them."
Siler's lawyer, Jeff Ostrow, said Tuesday Legacy Pro Sports has completely cooperated with the investigation, and their clients are extremely pleased with the services.
David Willingham, a lawyer for RD Legal Funding, also named during the hearing, said his clients "acted in accordance with the law and vigorously disputes all the allegations raised."
The Miami Dolphins suspended starting linebacker Lawrence Timmons indefinitely on Tuesday, stemming from his mysterious weekend disappearance in Los Angeles.
The club also traded an undisclosed draft pick to the New Orleans Saints for linebacker Stephone Anthony, who was the Saints' first-round pick in 2015.
The Carolina Panthers placed Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen on injured reserve.
Olsen sustained a broken foot during Sunday's 9-3 home-opening victory over the Buffalo Bills. The 32-year-old underwent surgery the following day and is eligible to return to the active roster after eight weeks, which would put him on schedule to play at the New York Jets on Nov 26.
The Baltimore Ravens placed Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda on injured reserve, the team announced.
Yanda sustained a fractured ankle during Sunday's 24-10 win over the Cleveland Browns.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long will donate his first six game checks this season to fund two scholarships for students in his hometown of Charlottesville, Virgomoa., his foundation announced.
The scholarships will provide two students with a seven-year, all-expenses-paid school program, and are meant to "promote equality through education," per the Chris Long Foundation.
They will be administered by Long's alma mater, St. Anne'sBelfield School, which will collaborate with the Boys & Girls Club of Central Virginia to identify two sixth graders who will have their tuition covered through high school.
Long and his wife, Megan, are making this decision in light of a series of white supremacist rallies that led to violence in the streets last month.