More than 100 players join concussion lawsuit

According to a report from investigative journalist Rick Westhead of TSN, more than 100 former CHL (QMJHL, OHL and WHL) players have joined a class action lawsuit against the CHL alleging that they weren't given adequate medical attention after suffering brain injuries (concussions).

From Westhead:

More from Westhead's most recent column for TSN:

The former players allege in affidavits filed in court on May 7 that they were typically not given proper medical attention after suffering concussions in games and that they still suffer from the long-term effects of repeated brain trauma.

The players are seeking damages for personal and physical injury, psychological injuries, special damages for out-of-pocket medical expenses and loss of past and future income. They have asked a judge to include as class members all CHL players since Aug. 21, 1974, as well as their family members.

- Rick Westhead

As much as I feel for these guys, I just can't see them winning this court case. It's simply too large in scope and it'll be extremely difficult for them to establish culpability in a sport where the inherent risk should be understood by everyone. Factor in the fact that we're only now just beginning to understand the long-term effects of concussions and "getting your bell rung" and I have an even harder time believing that they'll triumph in court.

Still, I'm certain that there are legitimate instances amongst members of this class action suit where culpability is provable and compensation is needed. One player stated he "passed out in a parking lot while talking to one of his team’s assistant coaches after fighting", but was never given proper medical treatment after fights or after games.

Again, I'm sure there are dozens of stories similar to this and yes the team's medical staff failed these players in these instances but... how do you make that right? How can the CHL make things right? The past can't be undone and, to me, it's unreasonable to expect the league(s) to compensate every player who received long-term injuries by playing hockey as a member of that league. What's the right course of action here?