The NFL's Concussion crisis is an example about brain injury that football players are at risk of experiencing even without their knowledge. Football is a collision sport and people risk brain trauma since they get involved in it for a long time. From the story of Mike Webster, it is evident the NFL does not put the interest of the retired NFL players in mind (PBS Frontline). The ethical issues in this case include the denial of concussion case by NFL. The industry is seen to have conflicts of interest at the expense of the player’s wellbeing. NFL wants to make money while the actors stand a risk of suffering from traumatic brain injuries. On the clinical ethics, the doctors hired to take care of the players’ health do not do their job appropriately, and they are seen to lean on the side of the company’s interests. If the signs of the brain injuries are reported in time, then the appropriate treatment can be provided saving the life of the players (PBS Frontline).
The worker’s rights involved in this case include the provision of a safe working environment free from dangers. The employees need to be notified of the risks of their work and the necessary measures put implemented to reduce the dangers Carroll and Ann 554). In NFL, the football players need to be protected from traumatic brain injury, and they should also have doctors to conduct regular tests on them. In addition, they have the right to receive the results of tests done on them.
The NFL has the responsibility to provide compensation to former players suffering from brain trauma since the trauma is as a result of their work (Carroll and Ann 548). The Helmet manufacturer has a responsibility to players since the helmets are expected to shield the player from injury.
The lawsuit had legal merit since the players were not informed of the risk of head trauma. The NFL settlement is fair since it has the responsibility for compensating the players.
Works cited
Carroll, Archie, and Ann Buchholtz. Business and society: Ethics, sustainability, and stakeholder management. Cengage Learning, 2014.
PBS Frontline. League of Denial: The NFL’s Concussion Crisis. 2013. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/league-of-denial/
