Ex-lineman's appeal could delay NFL concussion settlement

Christopher Seeger co-lead counsel for the retired player plaintiffs and partners at Seeger Weiss L.L.P./ AP

An appeal lodged on behalf of a former player on Wednesday may delay a settlement in a class action lawsuit brought by more than 4,500 former players against the National Football League for concussion-related injuries.

View NFL Players Sue over Health Issues.

Lawyers representing the former player, Craig Heimburg, filed notice that they intend to appeal the settlement before the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. In April, U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody approved the settlement, which could cost the NFL more than $1 billion and is designed to provide payments to players for up to $5 million apiece if they prove to have certain neurological conditions related to their time in the league.

Christopher Seeger and Sol Weiss, co-lead counsels for the retired player plaintiffs and partners at Seeger Weiss L.L.P., said in a statement that they were “extremely disappointed and perplexed” by the appeal.

“Final approval was granted by Judge Anita Brody only after objections were raised and heard at the fairness hearing in November and carefully considered by the Court,” the statement said. “Ultimately, in an extremely detailed and thorough opinion, the Court overruled the very same objections that will likely be made in any appeal.”

Mr. Heimburg, 38, played as an offensive lineman in 13 games for the Green Bay Packers in 1999 and the Buffalo Bills in 2001.