NFL concussion settlement approved by US judge

Philadelphia: An American judge on Wednesday approved of a revised settlement agreement between the National Football League and thousands of ex-players who sued the league over concussions.

The federal court endorsement of the revised agreement will see payments of up to $5 million to former players diagnosed with concussions.

In a 132-page document, US District Court Judge Anita Brody called the settlement "fair, reasonable, and adequate." The case began almost four years ago with a lawsuit in California and expanded to include thousands of former players and more than 300 suits.

The sides struck a reworked deal last July that included unlimited funds for former players and their families. That came after Brody rejected a $765 million settlement agreed upon in August 2013, saying she feared not all retired players who received a qualifying diagnosis would be paid.

The new "uncapped" settlement, Brody wrote last year, "ensures that there are sufficient funds available to pay all claims through the 65-year term of the settlement and improves the manner in which diagnoses are made to protect against fraud."

The fund established by the settlement provides cash rewards for players diagnosed with a qualifying disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig`s disease. One of the conditions of the fund is that it be adjusted for inflation.

"Nearly four years ago, retired NFL players embarked on a mission that many thought to be impossible: to obtain security and care for the devastating injuries they were experiencing," said Christopher Seeger and Sol Weiss, who are lawyers for the plaintiffs.

"Today, these courageous men and their families have made history. Despite the difficult health situations retired players face today, and that many more will unfortunately face in the future, they can take comfort that this settlement`s benefits will be available soon, and will last for decades to come."