Judge rejects preliminary approval of NFL’s concussion settlement

Earlier this year, the National Football League and a group of retired players agreed on a class-action settlement that would pay former players $675 million dollars.

The settlement, which was centered around head injuries (concussions) was thought to be sufficient for all parties involved but not according to a federal judge who rejected the preliminary agreement on Tuesday morning.

Per the Philadelphia Inquirer:

"A federal judge in Philadelphia denied preliminary approval Tuesday to a class-action settlement proposal between the National Football League and retired players who have sued over concussion-related injuries.Citing concerns that the NFL’s $760 million payout offer may not be adequate to cover the claims of the roughly 20,000 people eligible, U.S. District Judge Anita Brody ordered lawyers to provide her with more information on how they arrived at that figure."

While $760 million dollars seems like a vast amount of money (and it is), there’s understandable concern on Brody’s part as to how that figure was concocted and if there will be enough available money down the road.

In that sum, the NFL has dedicated money for retired players who have yet to experience head related trauma, however, Brody wants to make sure the figure is accurate and funded enough before moving further.

"“In that absence of additional supporting evidence, I have concerns about the fairness, reasonableness and adequacy of the settlement,” she wrote."

Sounds as if all sides may need to go back to the drawing board and find a more appropriate figure.