Riddell, Official NFL Helmet Manufacturer, Guilty in High Schooler’s Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit
A high schooler who suffered traumatic brain injury because of a helmet manufacturer’s inadequate warnings about concussion danger has been awarded $3.1 million in a personal injury lawsuit.
Although the decision involves a high school football player, the decision could affect similar personal injury lawsuits filed against the NFL by former players, who suffer untreated concussion symptoms and traumatic brain injury.
The traumatic brain injury case, brought forth by former Colorado high school student Rhett Ridolfi, alleges that the victim suffered a serious concussion during football drills in 2008. He was not immediately taken to the hospital, and suffered paralysis on his left side and other brain damage due to untreated traumatic brain injury.
Ridolfi’s family sued the high school football coaches, but also issued a personal injury lawsuit against the helmet manufacturer Riddell, because their claims to protect against head trauma were negligent and false.
Riddell is the official helmet manufacturer for the NFL, so the outcome of this case could affect the slew of personal injury lawsuits levied against the NFL by former players who also suffered untreated consussions, which led to traumatic brain injury. Most of the lawsuits have been consolidated into one suit, which is still in its early stages. One of the claims in the lawsuit is that Riddell exaggerated their helmets’ ability to protect players from concussions, and the NFL has long overlooked the manufacturer’s false advertising.
The court’s decision led to a total of $11.5 million for the victim and his family, with 27% of the money coming from Riddell.
South Carolina Personal Injury Law and Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) – also known as acquired brain injury or, more simply, head injury – is caused by a blow or jolt to the head, or a penetrating head wound that disrupts the brain’s normal function and damages the organ.
Traumatic brain injuries can occur when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue.
Traumatic brain injury may be the result of a
- car wreck,
- trucking accident,
- motorcycle accident,
- work accident,
- defective product, or
- an accident due to a dangerous condition on personal property.
Many people injured in car accidents can suffer from traumatic brain injury without immediately apparent symptoms. You don’t have to drive fast to get a head injury in an accident. You do not have to hit your head on something like the steering wheel or windshield to suffer a brain injury.
The Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys at the Strom Law Firm
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to an automobile accident or a defective product, it is not too late to get help. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm offer free consultations to discuss the incident that led to traumatic brain injury and determine if you have a personal injury case. Contact us today. 803.252.4800.
