The 2015 film Concussion, starring Will Smith, highlights the dangers of repeated head trauma among professional football players. The movie centers on the discovery of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and raises serious questions about liability, negligence, and personal injury. These legal themes aren’t just Hollywood fiction—they closely relate to how concussion personal injury cases would be evaluated under Washington State law.
What Is CTE and Why Does It Matter Legally?
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated concussions and head trauma. The movie follows Dr. Bennet Omalu, who uncovers the connection between NFL players’ deaths and brain injuries. This discovery leads to national scrutiny of the NFL’s conduct.
In Washington State, a party could potentially be held liable for CTE-related injuries if:
- They knew or should have known about the dangers;
- They failed to warn players or protect them;
- Or they actively concealed medical information.
🔗 Learn more about Washington’s wrongful death statute RCW 4.20.010
Could the NFL Be Sued for Concussion Personal Injury in Washington?
Under Washington law, a personal injury case involving repeated head trauma could fall under:
- Negligence: Failure to warn players of known dangers.
- Product liability: Helmets or safety equipment that fail to perform as intended.
- Wrongful death: If a player dies from a condition that could have been prevented.
For example, if a Washington-based team, coach, or medical provider ignored symptoms of repeated concussions, a player might sue for damages.
What About Informed Consent and Assumption of Risk?
One defense in a concussion personal injury case is that players knew the risks involved. However, Washington law looks closely at whether that consent was truly informed. If the NFL or other organizations withheld medical findings about the long-term dangers of head trauma, then “assumption of risk” might not apply.
Could Family Members File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Yes. Washington allows surviving spouses, children, or parents to bring a wrongful death lawsuit if a loved one dies due to another’s negligence or misconduct. In a case like Concussion, families could argue that leagues or employers had a duty to protect players but failed.
Why It Matters: Concussion Personal Injury in Real Life
Concussion dramatizes real legal issues: brain trauma, corporate liability, medical ethics, and wrongful death. These same issues show up in Washington courts—especially in youth and college sports, construction jobs, and military training where head injuries are common.
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