Former NHL star Bryan Berard has filed a lawsuit against the NHL, alleging that the league did not adequately safeguard him from concussions and brain injuries throughout his twelve-year career, according to a report by TMZ.In his legal complaint, Berard, the first overall draft pick in 1995, asserts that he endured repeated brain injuries during his time in the league, resulting in significant medical problems.
The report suggests that Berard contends that the league had a responsibility to “stop their systematic promotion of, and profiting from, fistfights and violence in the league.”He also emphasizes that it is essential for the league to prioritize the long-term safety of its players over financial gain given the significant profits derived from these players.
In his lawsuit, Berard notes that he sustained at least five concussions and lost vision in one eye during his NHL career, with the latter incident occurring as a result of being struck by a hockey stick in 2000.
Berard dedicates his legal action to the memory of the late Jeff Parker, a former NFL player diagnosed with Stage 3 CTE. Recent reports indicate that several other former NHL players, including Ian Turnbull, John Cullen, Garth Butcher, and Mark Hardy, are also pursuing similar lawsuits.
In July, NHL players faced a setback in their legal battle when a federal judge denied class-action status for their lawsuit.
Berard, who appeared in 619 regular-season games for teams like the Maple Leafs, Islanders, Bruins, Blue Jackets, Rangers, and Blackhawks, is seeking unspecified damages for health concerns through his current lawsuit. Berard retired in 2008 after parts of ten NHL seasons.
