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| Photo gives credit to Getty Images. |
More than a week ago, the experts from the National Institute of Health (NIH) released the complete result of the brain study conducted in Seau’s brain. According to the report, the deceased football player’s suffered brain injury during his lifetime.
In fact, even before the lab result came out, Seau’s family already believes that the disease had prompted the former player to commit suicide.
Subsequently, after Seau’s brain test result confirmed that he likewise sustained head injuries during his career, the family finally stepped forward and filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the football league.
In the said lawsuit, which was filed in San Diego, California, Seau’s family claimed that the NFL willfully concealed the truth about the dangers of repetitive concussion to the head, which are often sustained by every football player. The lawsuit further claim that Seau suffered chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as a result of repeated concussions and, that his condition drove him to take his own life.
In addition, the NFL helmet manufacturer, Riddell, is also named in the lawsuit for producing helmets that are dangerous. The lawsuit claimed that the manufacturing company has been negligent in its helmet design.
Seau committed suicide last May by shooting himself in the chest. His family and friends speculated that he probably can no longer endure the pain and sufferings, which prompted him to take away his own life. Media sources found out that although Seau was never formally diagnosed with a concussion during his lifetime, he regularly complained of symptoms associated with such condition.
Consequently, after his death, his brain was donated to science for brain injury study just like what the families of the former NFL players who died did.
Experts explained that although patients with CTE show symptoms such as aggressiveness, forgetfulness, depression and sometimes suicidal, the condition can only be diagnosed after death.
So far, more than 30 NFL players who passed away have been diagnosed with CTE while there are some 4,000 retired players who already filed lawsuits against the league over its alleged failure to inform players about the dangers that has been associated with the sport.
Meanwhile, in a statement released by Seau’s family after filing the lawsuit, it claimed that even thought the lawsuit could no longer bring back Junior, at least it will send several important message to the league as well as to the players and future generations.
Apparently, the family’s purpose in filing for a wrongful death claim serves just right, commented by a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer. Aside from receiving the right compensation for the death of their loved one, they will also set an example to the other victims of brain injury. They should never be afraid to come out and claim what is due for them, he added.
