More than eighty lawsuits have been filed in a US federal court against the National Football League. Those suits all accuse the league of hiding key information from the players, past and present that head trauma increases the risk of permanent and serious brain injury. Those suits are being consolidated into a single master complaint according to a spokesman.

According to the court documents that have been filed. more than two thousand former players, some current players, a number of spouses and other relatives are part of the suit, bringing the total number to over three thousand. Included in those numbers are the widows of several former players who have died as a direct result of their football related injuries. Those plaintiffs are demanding that the NFL be held responsible for the care of players who are suffering from a wide range of mental deficits including dementia and other neurological issues. Some of the players have admitted that they do not have any current symptoms, however there are serious worries that they might have issues in the future. Those asymptomatic players are asking for medical monitoring so that any signs of cognitive decline can be caught early.

In addition, the suit contends that the league made light of some of these concerns while at the same time glorifying the rampant violence that has been steadily increasing over the past few decades. Recently uncovered bounties where some players were encouraged and rewarded for injuries against opponents have only increased some of those concerns.

The NFL contends that it should be obvious that there are inherent dangers to taking blows to the head, however, the league also says that there are many medical benefits for the players including joint replacement treatment and more. Neurological evaluation and treatment is also included in that medical care. The players also receive long term care insurance and prescription assistance.

In brain exams of athletes including former football players, hockey players and other athletes, the effects of repeated blows to the head is frighteningly obvious. But, even doctors were completely shocked when they saw the extent of damage in the brain of a teen athlete. While the NFL has insisted that it has done all that it can to protect players, others worry that there may be little that can be done to truly protect the head and neck from devastating injuries that can arise from even a single hit to the head.

The helmet maker, Riddell Incorporated has also been named as a defendant in the landmark lawsuit.