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NCAA Ordered to Compensate $18m in Lawsuit Over Alleged Failure to Inform Athlete About Concussion Risks
A South Carolina jury has decided that the college sports governing body has to compensate a former college football player and his spouse a sum of $18m, determining the association at fault for not managing to alert the individual about the lasting consequences of head trauma.
Details of the Case
Following a civil trial that concluded late last week, jurors in Orangeburg county granted $10m to 68-year-old Robert Geathers, who played as a player at South Carolina State University from 1977 to 1980. His wife, Debra, was awarded $8m, as per court documents.
A doctor identified Robert Geathers with cognitive decline in the past, as reported a publication. Geathers now has difficulty with daily activities such as dressing himself and assisting in meal preparation.
Medical experts who testified at the proceedings said that the former player shows symptoms of CTE, a progressive condition observed in ex- football players who received repeated impacts to the skull while playing. This condition can exclusively be confirmed after death.
Claims and Evidence
The legal team contended to jurors that hits their client received during training and matches for the historically Black school in the city caused trauma that didn't show up until decades later.
Geathers's attorney, Bakari Sellers, stated that the NCAA was aware about concussion risks since the earlier era, and at the time Geathers's college career ended, but didn't tell staff or players about those risks until a subsequent time.
"All of the information, they withheld," the attorney told the panel, adding that "their job was to keep the boys protected."
The Association Response and Appeal
The decision can be challenged. In a release provided through a representative, the organization expressed that it did not agree with the outcome and was "prepared to exercise our options on post-trial motions and on appeal, if necessary."
"The NCAA have won in all previous jury trial nationally on these issues," and the university procedures "adhered to the understanding that was available at the time, and the sport did not lead to Mr Geathers lifelong health problems," the communication continued.
Legal counsel the representative said at the hearing that Geathers has several medical issues that influence dementia-like symptoms, and that the relevant body is made up of members of participating institutions that could suggest regulations.
"There's going to be head impacts. That's natural to the sport. You can't take head-hits out of the game," Fletcher remarked in final statements.
Jury Findings
As per reports, the jury found that the NCAA "unreasonably increased the risk of harm of head impacts to the player over and above the risks inherent to the sport." And it also concluded that the governing body "took on duties to protect the health and safety of him" and that the organization "failed in their duties" to him.
Following the proceedings, Sellers expressed that the result provided fairness: "I felt good to embrace Debra Geathers. She gets to return and tell her husband positive developments."
Brian Hernandez
A passionate writer and shopping enthusiast with a keen eye for quality products and lifestyle trends.
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