NFL Concussion Settlement
David Langfitt served on the Court-appointed Plaintiffs' Executive Committee and was appointed to the NFL Concussion Settlement Player Advocacy Committee.
If your claim was denied, undervalued, or you're still trying to understand whether you have a Qualifying Diagnosis, we can help.
What the NFL Concussion Settlement Actually Covers
The NFL Concussion Settlement provides compensation to retired NFL players who develop certain neurological conditions linked to head trauma sustained during their playing careers. The Settlement covers a defined list of Qualifying Diagnoses, including Level 1.5 Neurocognitive Impairment, Level 2 Neurocognitive Impairment, ALS, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
The process sounds straightforward. In practice, it is not. Claims administrators apply strict diagnostic criteria, and the gap between a player's real condition and a recognized Qualifying Diagnosis is where most claims break down.
Why So Many Claims Are Denied — and What Can Be Done
Denial is uncommon, but they can happen. Claims can be denied for a multitude of reasons that range from incomplete neuropsychological testing to documentation gaps to disagreements between the player's physician and the Settlement's claims reviewers. In some cases, a player clearly meets the functional criteria for Level 1.5 or Level 2 Neurocognitive Impairment but the paperwork doesn't reflect it.
We have handled NFL Concussion Settlement claims since the program's inception. We know where the documentation breaks down, which testing protocols satisfy the claims administrators, and how to build an appeal that addresses the specific reason for denial — not a generic objection letter.
What a Qualifying Diagnosis Means for Your Award
The Settlement assigns different monetary values to different Qualifying Diagnoses. The amounts depend on the player's age at diagnosis, the diagnosis, and the number of seasons played. Here is how the primary diagnoses are structured:
- Level 1.5 Neurocognitive Impairment: Moderate cognitive decline — memory, attention, processing speed — that falls short of dementia but meaningfully impairs daily function.
- Level 2 Neurocognitive Impairment: More severe decline consistent with early dementia. Higher award value than Level 1.5.
- ALS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's: Separately listed Qualifying Diagnoses carrying their own award schedules.
Award amounts under the Monetary Award Fund can be found here. Age offsets reduce the base award for younger players, and the claims process applies those reductions automatically — which is another reason having experienced counsel matters.
How We Handle NFL Settlement Claims
Step 1: Diagnosis
We schedule assessments with the best neurologists in America, including neurologists within the Settlement program to determine whether the former player has dementia, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, or ALS.
Step 2: Case Review and Diagnosis Assessment
We review the neurological diagnosis, neuropsychological testing, and evidence of decline, to determine whether a payable Qualifying Diagnosis is supported by the evidence.
Step 3: Claim Submission
We prepare and submit the claim.
Step 4: Decision
Depending on the outcome, here are the things that can happen: (a) an award is granted; (b) the claim is denied; (c) an appeal ensues. Even if the claim is denied, the player always has a right of appeal and the right to a reassessment which the firm will arrange. The important thing for all former players to remember is that patience is required to obtain an award in the Settlement system.
The NFL Concussion Settlement Is One Part of What We Do
The Settlement resolves claims against the NFL. It does not address what the NCAA did to players during their college careers — and for many former players, the damage began long before they reached the professional level.
If you played college football and are experiencing neurological symptoms, a Settlement claim may not be your only option. We represent former college players in individual lawsuits against the NCAA, separate from any NFL claim. Those cases proceed on a different legal theory, in state and federal courts, and they are not limited by the Settlement's diagnostic framework.
What is a Qualifying Diagnosis under the NFL Concussion Settlement?
A Qualifying Diagnosis is one of the neurological conditions recognized by the Settlement as eligible for compensation from the Monetary Award Fund. The list includes Level 1.5 Neurocognitive Impairment, Level 2 Neurocognitive Impairment, ALS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and death with CTE confirmed on post-mortem examination. A diagnosis from your personal physician is not automatically a Qualifying Diagnosis — it must meet the Settlement's specific clinical criteria and documentation standards.
My NFL Settlement claim was denied. Can I still appeal?
Yes. Denial is not final. We have successfully appealed denied claims by identifying the specific documentation or diagnostic gap the claims administrator cited and addressing it directly. The appeal window is limited, so it is important to contact us as soon as you receive a denial notice.
How do I know if I have Level 1.5 or Level 2 Neurocognitive Impairment?
The distinction turns on the severity of cognitive decline measured through standardized neuropsychological testing. Level 1.5 reflects moderate impairment — meaningful deficits in memory, attention, or processing speed — while Level 2 reflects decline consistent with early dementia. A qualified neuropsychologist administers the testing, but the results must be documented in a format the Settlement's claims reviewers accept. We coordinate that process for our clients.
What is the NFL Concussion Settlement Player Advocacy Committee?
The Player Advocacy Committee was established by the Court to provide a formal channel for players and their counsel to raise systemic concerns about how claims are being processed. David Langfitt was appointed to that committee — one of very few lawyers in the country to hold that role.
Does it cost anything to have you review my denied claim?
No. We review NFL Concussion Settlement matters at no upfront cost. If we take your case, we work on a contingency basis — we are paid only if we recover for you.
Can a family member file a claim if the player has already died?
Yes. Surviving family members may file a claim on behalf of a deceased player if the player had a Qualifying Diagnosis before death, or if CTE is confirmed post-mortem by an approved neuropathologist. These are among the most serious claims in the Settlement and often involve the highest award values.
