Former Gamecocks College Football Star Joins Lawsuit Alleging Concussions and Head Injury
Stanley Doughty, famed in South Carolina for playing defensive tackle for the USC Gamecocks between 2003 and 2006, has joined a concussion lawsuit against the NCAA, alleging that the head injuries he suffered in his Gamecocks college career prevented him from playing football with national professional teams.
Doughty joined the lawsuit this week as the lead plaintiff, alleging that the college football league’s governing body “breached its duty to protect NCAA football players.” He and the other plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege that the NCAA failed “to educate football players about the long-term, life-altering risks and consequences of head impacts in football.”
The suit also seeks damages “for the wanton, reckless, intentional and/or wrongful conduct of the Defendant and to punish and deter similar wrongful conduct … physical pain and suffering … mental anguish … permanent injury … (and) punitive damages.”
The lawsuit features documents describing at least two serious incidents in which Doughty suffered a severe concussion after colliding with another player. The concussions were so serious that Doughty was temporarily paralyzed.
“In 2005 in a game against the University of Tennessee, Doughty collided with now Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, leaving him momentarily unable to move,” said the document. “The team did not order an MRI. Mr. Doughty rested in the locker room for 5 minutes and then returned to the field.”
Due to the concussions, Doughty claims that he was unable to have a career in the NFL, in which workers comp and insurance could have helped with later traumatic brain injury problems. Team trainers in the NFL declared that Doughty was unable to play because of his acquired spinal injury, related to the severity of his concussions. He was temporarily drafted with the Kansas City Chiefs, but the doctors who worked for the team informed Doughty that, due to the spinal injuries from previous concussions, he could no longer safely play football and would need surgery to correct the problem.
However, because he was released from his contract with the Chiefs, Doughty has not been able to afford the surgery.
“Doughty experiences limited use of his right arm and a burning sensation, anxiety, irritability, depression, mood swings, inability to concentrate, and sleeplessness,” said the document. “He is at increased risk of latent brain injuries caused by repeated head impacts in his college football career and therefore is in need of medical monitoring.”
Although the NCAA adopted concussion treatment reforms recently, research since 1986 should have led to better diagnoses and treatment sooner. The current lawsuit alleges that the NCAA has been negligent toward its players.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Concussion Injury Cases
For many victims, a concussion or traumatic brain injury is not immediately noticeable. Concussion or traumatic brain injury symptoms may not appear for several days after the initial trauma. If you or a loved one suffered a concussion or traumatic brain injury as the result of an accident, the Strom Law Firm offers a free, no-cost consultation to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today at 803.252.4800
