A federal judge granted final approval Wednesday to the settlement of long-running concussion litigation between the National Football League and retired players.
In a 132-page opinion in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, Judge Anita Brody called the deal “fair, reasonable and adequate.”
The agreement compensates retired players who suffer from a variety of problems, including Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Monetary awards will be determined on a sliding scale based on a player’s seasons in the NFL, age at diagnosis and other criteria.
“Today’s decision powerfully underscores the fairness and propriety of this historic settlement,” Jeff Pash, the NFL’s lead counsel, said in a statement.