NFL concussion lawsuits may turn on workers comp rules

The National Football League is expected to use an exclusive remedy defense in liability litigation filed by hundreds of former pro football players who suffer from concussion-related injuries and cognitive disorders. The NFL is named as a defendant in 21 suits that allege the league negligently misled at least several hundred players about the dangers of concussions and other head injuries. Riddell Inc., the league’s official helmet maker, also is named as a defendant in some of the suits.