Former Chicago Blackhawks players Nick Boynton and Daniel Carcillo have filed a lawsuit against the NHL alleging it is a “league of denial.”
I have decided to join the #concussion #lawsuit against the league of denial, the @NHL to continue to apply pressure to ppl in charge of providing care to current & former players. I will appoint any funds received towards concussion research & the @TheCarrickInst @NICKBOYNTON24 pic.twitter.com/cunqGtsbsP
— Daniel Carcillo (@CarBombBoom13) June 22, 2018
Chicago-based law firm Corboy & Demetrio filed the lawsuit on the former players behalf at a U.S. District Court in Minnesota, reports WGN TV.
Boynton played 605 career games in nine NHL seasons with the Boston Bruins and Chicago. He won the 2010 Stanley Cup with the Hawks.
Carcillo skated in 474 NHL games also in nine seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings. Carcillo won two Cups with Chicago.
Both players claim they suffered multiple concussions. They also state the NHL did not warn them of the risk of brain damage. The pair go as far as saying the NHL consistently, “allowed and encouraged” them to return to the ice to play after suffering concussions.
“Why won’t the NHL acknowledge the reality that participating in their league increases a player’s risk for long-term brain damage? Why won’t the NHL step up and take care of those that have had the damage done to their brains? Daniel Carcillo and Nick Boynton are demanding accountability from the NHL,” said attorney William T. Gibbs of Corboy & Demetrio, in a press release.
Carcillo says he’s suing for past and current players, and hopes any the league will acknowledge the wrongdoing he claims they’ve done.
“I’m doing this on behalf of all former NHL players that are struggling with the difficulties of transitioning from a life in the NHL with brains that have been damaged.” Carcillo said. “Players today are still being denied proper care for concussions. It’s time for the NHL to finally acknowledge that serious, permanent damage can be done if head trauma is ignored or neglected. I hope that any proceeds that we recover can be used to further concussion research.
“Furthering research is paramount in this fight for proper understanding, diagnosis and care for traumatic brain injury.”