Riddell Football Helmet Safety & Concussions

The approximately 500,000 football-related concussions that children suffer each year have become a serious health concern in this country.  According to the New York Times, at least 50 youth football players (high school age or younger) from twenty different states have died or sustained serious head injuries on the field since 1997.  So it comes as no surprise that today, parents are increasingly attuned to the head injury risks of football, and also with ways to avoid those risks.  This includes available options for football helmets that purport to reduce the risk of concussions in young football players.

Recently, the Chairman of the Federal Trade Committee announced the agency is looking into the safety claims of some football helmet manufacturers regarding their ability to reduce the risk of concussions.  The FTC’s announcement followed a request by U.S. Senator Tom Udall that the Commission investigate helmet manufacturers for what he called, “misleading safety claims and deceptive practices” regarding added safety benefits of helmets and their ability to reduce concussions.  Senator Udall took specific aim at Riddell, the official helmet manufacturer for the N.F.L., for its prominent claim that its popular “Revolution” model helmets decrease concussion risk by 31 percent (a number The New York Times has indicated has been criticized by experts).  The FTC has stated these allegations regarding false safety statements by helmet manufacturers pose serious concerns given the dangers that young athletes face when engaging in contact sports.   

The law firm of Zimmerman Reed, PLLP, is currently investigating whether helmet manufacturer Riddell violated the law by allegedly falsely claiming its helmets possessed safety capabilities they did not have, and whether Riddell improperly obtained the money of consumers who purchased its helmets.

Where can I find additional information?

• October 19, 2011: An Ordinary Football Game, Then a Player Dies, nytimes.com
• October 20, 2010: As Injuries Rise, Scant Oversight of Helmet Safety, nytimes.com
• January 14, 2010:  FTC looking into helmet claims, ap.org
• January 3, 2010:  Senator Calls for Helmet Safety Investigation, nytimes.com

If you bought a Riddell football helmet under a belief that it possessed safety features that would reduce the risk of concussion, it may be important to talk to an attorney.  If you would like more information, or would just like to talk with a lawyer experienced in this area of litigation, please call us at 800-755-0098 or click below to fill out an online free case review.  Zimmerman Reed is experienced in handling consumer protection cases, and we welcome any questions you may have.