College football player having senior doctor review his concussion injury.

Lawyers Fight Over Attorney Fees in NFL Concussion Settlement

As part of a $1 billion concussion settlement, the NFL has agreed to pay up to $112.5 million in attorneys fees. Two lead lawyers who helped obtain the settlement are now seeking access to the full amount.

Sol Weiss and Christopher Seeger are seeking the full $112.5 million, according to a report from Legal Intelligencer. Seeger wants to be granted authority to pay other lawyers involved in the case.

But one group of lawyers, who represent about 30 players, aren’t pleased with the request, the Intelligencer reports. The faction filed a motion this week asking the court to end the race through a case management order.

The motion notes that the court has already received fee requests from other lawyers that bring the total fees well above the $112.5 million threshold.

The lawyers argue that the “historic” settlement will “provide benefits to over 20,000 retired NFL players.”

“From the outset, Platinffs’ Counsel committed substantial time, resources and expertise in pursuit of recovery for NFL players and their families, the memorandum reads.

The lawyers claim to have spent millions of dollars of expenses and thousands of hours of time over the years. They also cite that NFL Parties have agreed not to oppose or object to a petition seeking up to $112.5 million in fees and costs.

The NFL settlement provides compensation for retired players diagnosed with CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. The NFL has also agreed as part of the settlement to provide players with brain injury testing and help fund the education of sports-related brain injuries and concussions.

The settlement was reached in April 2015 and offers eligible retired players between $1.5 million and $5 million in payments.

The presiding judge approved the settlement, which was upheld by an appeals court. The U.S. Supreme Court passed on reviewing the case, which cemented the settlement.