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Report: Namoff suing D.C. United for negligence

Namoff (ISI)

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Former D.C. United defender Bryan Namoff had his career end prematurely because of a concussion, and he is reportedly taking legal action against the club for failing to act with the proper care that could have prevented the ongoing medical issues he faces today.

According to the Washington Post, Namoff is suing D.C. United for $12 million, claiming that the club was negligent in the way it handled his head injury suffered during a game against Kansas City in 2009.

Namoff, 33, remained in the game after the violent collision and reportedly claims in his lawsuit that he was not examined or assessed in the days after the head injury but was allowed to play three days later against the Seattle Sounders, which ended up being his last game as a professional. To this day, Namoff is suffering from the after-effects of the head injury, with The Post reporting that he still "has permanent headaches and fatigue, sleep problems and hypersensitivity to motion" in addition to suffering memory loss and cognitive damage.

What do you think of this development?

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Comments

  1. Oddly enough, it sometimes benefits BOTH parties when a lawsuit is filed. The injured party gets to makes an official case for the recovery of medical expenses and / or compensation. Once the suit is filed, both parties examine the issues and, if the suit has merit, attempt to work out a settlement. Whatever happens, there is a finite conclusion. Even if the employer acknowledges responsibility, the injured party may continue making future demands if there is not a legal ruling. A lawsuit lays out the rules of the settlement. The combination of medical doctors, lawyers and insurance company representatives, all pursuing their own best interests, requires the clear legal ruling that a lawsuit provides. It’s not always about greed.

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  2. Hmmm, gotta wonder why they decided to sue DC instead of the league, who could easily come up with $12 million. His contract was with the league., no ?

    I would assume DC has insurance, but what if they decide to just go Chapt 11 instead of paying him.

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  3. Anyone know if teams have insurance to cover lawsuits like this? Doubt he will get anywhere near 12 million however, lawsuits like this can devastate at team.

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  4. What is with all the hate here on SBI? Not all lawsuits are bogus, a judge will decide on the matter here.

    I hate petty lawsuits just as much as the next guy, but you can’t paint it all black and white.

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  5. This is the risk of playing sports, we live in a sue happy civilization, that anything we sue for. My question is did he tell them of the injury or not?

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  6. This is a pretty hot topic and alarming injury that has gained more attention in recent years.

    I wish Namoff the best and hope more professional clubs/teams and sports give this injury the respect and concern it deserves.

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  7. Based on the report (and I cannot find the link to the complaint with the allegations), it appears that he did make the team aware of the issue. Regardless, see Tyler 2’s comment, below. I don’t even think the team would bother trying to shift responsibility with an assumption-of-risk defense, as it really doesn’t apply in a situation where medical negligence is alleged.

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  8. When you are concussed you are not even aware of it. These players are brought up in a culture of bleeding to play at all costs and never backing down or appearing weak.

    It happened last year with the NFL QB for the Bengals I believe where the QB was concussed by James Harrison and then couldn’t even remember finishing the game. His dad had to tell him afterward what happened.

    It’s up to the medical and coaching staffs to watch and be wary of players. It makes no sense to expect a player who just had their brain bruised to use their brain and self-diagnose. It really makes no sense.

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  9. Wonder what the assumption of risk was on Namoff’s part given the fact that he chose to play. If he wasnt feeling well he should’ve voiced his concerns or told the team he could not suit up.

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