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Ex-Viking Fred McNeill, client and hero, loses his battle with dementia at 63

Brain Injuries, NFL

Earlier this month, professional football lost another player to the devastating effects of brain injury. Fred McNeill died last Monday at age 63 due to complications stemming from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). During his time in the NFL, McNeill played twelve seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and became a franchise leader in career tackles with more than 1,000.

“Fred was one of our first clients with the NFL case,” said Jason Luckasevic, GPW attorney and originator of the NFL concussion lawsuit. “His loss is felt deeply in our office, especially knowing it came from head trauma sustained during his time playing football.”

In 1974, McNeill was the Vikings’ first round draft pick from UCLA. His 12 seasons included two Super Bowls and a famed block punt from Ray Guy, then considered the best punter in the league. His teammates describe him as a “great person and fantastic linebacker who “always did his job.”

During his last season in the league, McNeill began his legal studies at William Mitchell School of Law in St. Paul. He spent many yeas working as a lawyer until he lost his job in 1996 due to cognitive problems related to repeated head trauma from his time playing professional football.

At the time, a fellow UCLA grad and partner at his law firm Barry Reed noticed a change in McNeill, but then there was no understanding of the deeper brain issues causing the disruptions that made it challenging to function as an attorney. Their friendship allowed Reed to see the true brutality of the game that forever changed his opinion of football.

In his words, “it ended the life of a very good man.”

McNeill’s cognitive difficulties began 15 years after retiring from the league. After years of confusion, he was finally diagnosed with dementia in 2009 while in his late 50s. Dementia is a term used to describe a range of symptoms typically seen in the elderly when thinking and memory skills begin to decline. Things like judgment, perception, reasoning, communication and more become impaired, with many forms of dementia worsening over time.

Toward the end of his life, his personality began to shift, including bouts of angersover seemingly simple occurrences. He died in a nursing home in Southern California, no longer able to care for himself.

“Fred was a hero for taking on the NFL as part of the first group to sue the league for its mishandling of brain injured athletes,” said Luckasevic. “Unfortunately he’s now an example of what this mishandling ultimately does to the players and their families. It’s a tragedy.”

[This post also appeared on gpwlaw.com]

Sources

  • Walsh, “Obiturary: At 63, struggle with dementia ends for ex-Viking Fred McNeill,” StarTribune (Nov. 4, 2015). [Link]
  • Alzheimer’s Association, “What is dementia?” (2015). [Link]

Brain Injury Awareness Month: You are not alone

Brain Injuries, Uncategorized

Every year, 2.5 million Americans survive a traumatic brain injury and attempt to continue their lives. Beyond new incidents, 5.3 million Americans live with a brain injury. Brain Injury Awareness month seeks to educate the public about TBI prevention and the needs of those affected and their families.

The Brain Injury Association of America developed a campaign called “Not Alone,” focused on showing the effects to the public as well as to empower survivors and promote the support available.

TBIs can leave the injured person feeling lost. Even if it’s been days, weeks or months, side effects may linger and effect performance in different areas. Many people will hit their head in a car accident, on the playing field or after a fall and feel out of it, even after returning to normal activities. Headaches, difficulty remembering and concentrating and noise sensitivity are common continued symptoms.

These last issues can cause people to isolate themselves and possibly not seek the help needed. By letting the TBI community know they are not alone in their struggle, the stigma will be removed and more will speak up about their suffering.

From mild concussions to life-threatening injuries, a TBI disrupts the day-to-day functions of the brain and can be a burden. Some recover quickly while others endure the symptoms for months. With every TBI sustained, the brain takes longer to recover.

TBI symptoms typically fall into four categories: sleep, physical, emotion/mood and thinking/remembering. Each experience is varied, but many sleep longer or shorter than usual and have trouble falling asleep. People may feel exhausted, have a headache or vomit early after the impact. Emotions will run high, leaning toward nervousness, irritability or sadness.

Unless a person is aware of these symptoms, a slight bump to the head may leave them with months of problems with no solutions. Not every TBI is obvious, making it important to understand the aftermath.

The NFL concussion litigation represents these long-term issues that develop if repeated TBIs occur. Every season, football players undergo many jarring blows to the head, contributing to problems that emerge years after retiring. Many experience mood swings, memory loss and depression. Several players took their lives after living with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated concussive or sub-concussive blows.

This March, learn to recognize the symptoms and ways to prevent a TBI. If you’re suffering from the long-term issues, remember you are not alone. Find help today.

[This post originally appeared on gpwlaw.com]

Sources

  • Brain Injury Awareness Association, “Brain Injury Awareness Month,” (March 2015). [Link]
  • CDC, “Preventing Traumatic Brain Injury,” (March 17, 2014). [Link]

How Jason Luckasevic’s crusade against concussions is making a difference

Brain Injuries, NFL

To be a pioneer means to be the first to recognize a problem or situation and work to develop a solution. Often mocked and misunderstood, pioneers face an uphill battle to prove the worth of what they’re trying to accomplish.

At Goldberg, Persky & White, we pride ourselves on being pioneers in the field of asbestos litigation. For more than 30 years, we’ve been on a journey toward compensating those injured by asbestos. Before companies admitted responsibility and awareness of the dangers, we were fighting for working men and women.

This spirit is something we admire in Jason Luckasevic, a shareholder at GPW.

Almost a decade ago, Jason learned about the connection between the NFL and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) from family friend and forensic pathologist Bennet Omalu and began working on a case shortly after. In 2011, he became the first attorney to file against the NFL, accusing the League of hiding the dangerous effects associated with playing.

In the years since, the lawsuit gained momentum and was joined by attorneys around the United States. This groundbreaking case changed the game and made people realize the long-term effects of repeated concussions. Football teams, from youth leagues to college to professional levels, are finally paying attention to research and making changes.

Now as the fairness hearing approaches for the NFL concussion settlement, many are recognizing Jason and his clients for their persistence. He’s no stranger to media interviews and publicity associated with the settlement.

Recently, Jason was recognized in a New York Times Magazine cover story for his fight: “How One Lawyer’s Crusade Could Change Football.”

“The New York Times article was very powerful and an accurate recounting of the events; however, there is so much more to share. Be sure to stay tuned,” Jason added mysteriously.

While the settlement isn’t perfect, Jason recognizes the strides made to help the players and the groundbreaking nature of the lawsuit.

“This case may go down in history as one of the most famous civil litigations of all time because it involves professional athletes and the most famous sport in America,” Jason said. “I am proud to go down in history as the lawyer who started it all. I feel personally vindicated because there were many doubters.”

From this experience to his involvement on the Brain Injury Awareness Association of Pennsylvania board, Jason credits the most satisfying feeling as “saving lives due to the awareness regarding brain injury and concussion.”

Since the article published online last Thursday, hundreds of Twitter users have embraced and shared the story by Michael Sokolove. Many added personal comments, reflecting on the amazing tale and applauding Jason for his perseverance and the difference he’s making.

To stay up to date with Jason, follow him on Twitter at @JasonLuckasevic or visit our sports brain injury website.

[This post originally appeared on Goldberg, Persky & White’s website, www.gpwlaw.com]

Thank you Twitter

Uncategorized

Thank you to everyone who shared The New York Times article and helped spread the word about the dangerous effects of football concussions. Here are some of my favorites: