ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The NHL’s motion to dismiss a class-action lawsuit brought by former players over concussion-related injuries has been heard by the federal judge assigned to the case.
Attorneys for the league and the former players gave oral arguments Thursday in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson. The hearing lasted about five hours, and Nelson did not make a ruling.
The players have been seeking unspecified financial damages and NHL-funded medical monitoring for neurological disorders. They’ve alleged the league failed to warn players of the risks of head injuries and promoted violent play that led to them.
The combination of several lawsuits from more than 200 former players was formally filed in October. As a class-action complaint, the litigation covers the estimated 5,000 living former NHL players.