The National Football League has finally acknowledged that there is a link between football-related head trauma and serious degenerative brain diseases like CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). The NFL’s executive vice president of health and safety policy, Jeff Miller, made the admission Monday, March 14 during a roundtable discussion on concussions held by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy & Commerce.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky asked Miller directly, in the form of a yes or no question, if the link exists. He replied that the answer is “certainly yes,” but also added that he thought there are still a number of other questions that should also be asked. Schakowsky pointed out that Miller’s answer was very different from the one given by Dr. Mitchel Berger, the San Francisco doctor who leads the NFL’s Head, Neck, and Spine Committee, just three days before the Super Bowl.
CTE Found in Most Former Football Players
Out of 91 former NFL players who consented to donate their brains for medical research after death, 87 have been diagnosed with CTE. CTE is a degenerative brain disease that is similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms may include cognitive impairment in multitasking and memory, behavioral changes including impulse control and aggression, mood changes including apathy or depression, and in some cases, difficulty making facial expressions or body tremors. It is currently only diagnosable after death.
Experienced Brain Injury Attorneys Serving the DC Metro Area
A brain injury has the potential to change the course of a person’s entire life. If you or someone you know has suffered a preventable brain injury, you may be able to recover compensation by filing a personal injury claim. Contact Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, Siegel, P.C. to speak with a lawyer about your case. We handle all types of brain injury cases stemming from things like auto accidents, slip and fall accidents, assaults, and sports injuries. Request a free consultation when you call (202) 659-8600.