Judge In NFL Painkiller Suit: Misrepresentation Claim Not Enough To Sidestep Exclusive Remedy

A federal judge in California who threw out a lawsuit by ex-NFL players alleging league-wide overuse of painkillers said the players would have had to prove that the league intentionally concealed knowledge of their injuries to escape the workers' compensation law's exclusive remedy provision. In reaching his decision, U.S. District Judge William Alsup looked at arguments put forth by Reggie Walker, a former linebacker for the San Diego Chargers and Alphonso Carreker, a former defensive end for the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers. The men argued that their te...