On February 9, 2023, 10 former NFL players filed a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Maryland against the NFL Player Disability & Survivor Benefit Plan and NFL Player Disability & Neurocognitive Benefit Plan (the Plan), the Disability Board that administers the Plan, and each of the Board’s members, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The lawsuit alleges the defendants breached the fiduciary duty of loyalty to many former players in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and separately, wrongfully denied benefits to many former players, in violation of the terms of the Plan.

The NFL Player Disability & Survivor Benefit Plan and NFL Player Disability & Neurocognitive Benefits Plan (the Plan), The Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan, the Disability Board that administers the Plan, and each of the Board’s members, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Defendants Larry Ferazani, Belinda Lerner, Jacob Frank, Sam McCullum, Robert Smith, and Hoby Brenner are members of the Board.

The NFL's disability plan — known as the NFL Player Disability & Survivor Benefit Plan and NFL Player Disability & Neurocognitive Benefit Plan — are employee welfare benefit plans designed to provide disability and related benefits to eligible NFL players.

You do not need to do anything at this point. Other attorneys and firms may reach out to you offering representation in this case, but that is not necessary at this stage of the litigation. If you are eligible, you will automatically be included as part of a certified class.

• The Committee, which makes the initial decision, consists of three members:

  • one appointed by the NFL Management Council

  • one appointed by the NFLPA

  • A jointly designated Medical Director.

• The administrator and one of the fiduciaries of the Plan is the Disability Board makes the decision an applicant’s appeal and is made up of:

  • Three individuals selected by the NFL Management Council

  • Three selected by the National Football League Players Association

  • The non-voting Chairman of the Board, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

With the data that we have compiled and courts across the country pulling back the curtain on the defendants’ alleged violations, we are now able to move forward with this lawsuit to hold them accountable and seek systemic change.

If you believe your disability claim was wrongfully denied or if you were provided misleading or inaccurate information, please reach out to us through the contact form at the bottom of the page to discuss your situation.

You should proceed with your individual disability claim irrespective of this lawsuit. You may wish to seek legal representation or advice regarding your rights as to your pending or anticipated benefits claims.

That is uncertain at this point, but the resolution of litigation like this often takes from two to four years, and sometimes longer. If you have pending or anticipated benefits claims, you may wish to seek legal representation regarding those claims.

Your rights may vary based on the years you played and other factors. If you have questions about benefits claims, you may wish to seek legal representation regarding those claims.

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