Former Pac-12 Athlete Compares Football Hits to Car Crashes
Former University of California football player, Neville Hawkins, filed a lawsuit this week against the NCAA and Pac-12 Conference for repercussions of concussions he received while playing college football in 1970 and 1971. According to the lawsuit, the NCAA, Conference and the University knew about the dangers of concussions, and that football hits caused such concussions, during his tenure with Cal. Hawkins claims that after he suffered hits that likely caused concussions, the coaches put him back into the game without taking precautions. The lawsuit compares many of the hits – some of which even broke Hawkins’ helmet – to a head hitting the dashboard of a vehicle that runs into a wall at 25 mph. “That means each season, these 18, 19 and 20 year old student-athletes are subjected to the equivalent of several hundred car accidents,” the lawsuit argues. The lawsuit also seeks class-action status on behalf of other athletes.
Head trauma can lead to traumatic brain injuries and a lifetime of hardship. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury at the hands of another person, you may be legally entitled to fair compensation. Plattner Verderame, PC is experienced in litigation involving traumatic brain injuries, including those endured on the football field. Please feel free to contact us to evaluate any potential claim. We are honest attorneys who spend our days helping honest clients.
Nick is a member of the State Bar of Arizona, the Arizona Association for Justice (formerly the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association) and the American Association for Justice (AAJ). He currently serves on the AAJ’s Political Action Task Force and its Oversight Committee, and on the Board of Governors for Revitalization in Arizona.
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