$35 Million Awarded By NFL To Fund Brain Injury Research

The National Football League has come under scrutiny in the last decade based on the prevalence of brain injuries befalling their players and retired players. It has come to the attention of the NFL that brain injury was often previously misdiagnosed, or undiagnosed entirely, putting players at an unnecessary risk of long-term brain injury. Strides have been taken by the NFL with concussion protocol and other measures, like changes to the game in hopes of reducing the instances of brain injury.

Most recently, the NFL has allotted $35 million to fund brain injury studies. While the hope is that this research will benefit football players, in reality, it will benefit all who have been afflicted by brain injury. This includes those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury due to an accident in which negligence is alleged. Brain injury can happen in instances of medical malpractice, or as a result of a fall or a car accident injury, to name a few.

Two organizations receiving funding are The University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. They are receiving $6,070,384 for their work in understanding brain injury. Brain injuries are just beginning to be fully understood. One fact that has stood out is that prompt medical care can lessen the impact that a brain injury has on the person in the short and long term.

The hope is that brain injuries can be better understood to help victims in negligence claims. The body is a mysterious and amazing thing and there is much we do not know. The hope is that research can shed some light on the mystery.