College Quarterback Posthumously Diagnosed with CTE after January Suicide

A college football quarterback who killed himself back in January was recently diagnosed with CTE, or chronic encephalopathy. The diagnosis is the second known instance in college football players; over 100 professional football players have been diagnosed with the condition after their deaths. The issue with CTE lies in its discovery – it is only able to be discovered after death, via an autopsy.

Tyler Hilinski, 21, shot himself in his apartment in January, for unknown reasons. His parents were shocked to hear that their young son had the brain of a 65-year-old man, according to the morticians. There was no motivate detected for the suicide; Tyler’s mother was unable to point to football or any other reason as to why her son would have gone through with such an act.

Tyler’s brothers also play football, one of whom is younger and opted to continue on, despite the knowledge that his brother suffered from the condition and it may have played a significant role in his death. There have been numerous other cases of CTE-linked episodes from football players, but as of yet, no research has been conclusive to determining CTE in living people or how to diagnose and treat it.

Hilinski is another individual who can be considered a link between football and CTE.

Dangers of CTE

CTE has numerous stages that point to its affliction. Its initial stages can be indicative of the more serious results that come about later on. The injuries that those afflicted with CTE receive be among the feeling, and many more. They include reduced brain weight, dementia, disorientation, memory loss, impulsive behavior, depression, suicidal thoughts, and more.

There have been numerous scientists who have linked CTE to suicide, as the deterioration of the brain can have such adverse consequences. The repeated damage can be brought on by numerous head traumas and concussions, such as those induced by contact sports like boxing, wrestling, and football. Football is perhaps the most commonly-attributed cause, and considering how early some children start to play, parents should be aware of the potential effects.

Liability of the School

In some cases, establishments that do not provide proper safety measures for athletes can be blamed for the aggravation of CTE. High schools that do not provide enough or sufficient equipment, like helmets and pads, may be targeted for liability in instances of CTE-related deaths. Colleges can face the same fate: because of the nationwide fervor of college football, some athletes may be pushed too hard in practice and during games, leading to repeated head injuries. These institutions can be targeted by parents and blamed for the brain damage in their loved ones.

However, there is no clear-cut method of determining what exactly brought on CTE. Head trauma may not only occur during sports; even simple slip and falls can cause it. It is generally accepted that the persistent hits in football do contribute to the condition, however.

College athletes are students too, and the schools have a duty to protect the kids from as many dangers as they can. Football and other contact sports fall under this umbrella, and any adverse effects may be able to be used as grounds for lawsuits by parents. If a school is negligent in its duty of protecting athletes by not having safety measures in place or by encouraging potentially damaging behavior, you could sue for compensation in the event of injuries.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit

If you feel that a school or establishment caused or contributed to the untimely death of a family member or loved one, you could file a wrongful death lawsuit against the institution. This lawsuit is based on the fact that there was a duty of care that was breached, leading to the death, even if the death were suicide or something similar.

Expert witnesses can attest to the link between CTE, football, and suicide, and research can help bolster your claim. With the help of our experienced attorneys, you can file a claim that will enable you to receive various amounts of compensation for the tragic death of your loved one. You may be able to receive:

• Pre-death pain and suffering and medical bills coverage
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of expected inheritance
• Loss of savings
• Funeral and burial expenses

It is not recommended that you pursue a wrongful death lawsuit by yourself. You may not have the time to dedicate towards filing a claim, and there is generally a 2-year statute of limitations in which you must take action. Additionally, it takes a fair amount of knowledge and experience to take legal action, which you may not have if you have not spent time studying law. Further, you may not have the energy or will to pursue a lawsuit if a loved one recently passed away – the burden may be too much. For these reasons, it is crucial that you seek out the assistance of an expert lawyer whose job is dedicated to helping you through the legal process. We promise to be there for you and will handle all aspects of your case.

Our Law Group

Normandie Law Firm is here to help those who have family members or loved ones who passed away due to the negligent actions of another party. We can help you take action if a loved one sustained CTE.

Call us today to schedule a free consultation with an accomplished lawyer and we will talk over your case with you. We will also give you our zero fee guarantee if you choose us to represent you, which promises that you will not have to pay any out of pocket expenses for our help. We will only get paid if we win your case and if we lose you won’t have to pay us anything at all.