A Colorado jury has awarded $11.5 million in a lawsuit brought against helmet maker Riddell by the family of a severely injured high school football player claiming the company was negligent in failing to warn players about concussion dangers.
The ruling comes as the company faces a similar lawsuit in Los Angeles, along with a complaint by thousands of former NFL players against the league and Riddell.
The jury awarded $11.5 million to the family of Rhett Ridolfi, who suffered a concussion during practice at Trinidad High School in 2008. Ridolfi, now 22, wasn't immediately taken to the hospital and now has severe brain damage, as well as paralysis on his left side.
"He has no judgment control, he has no concerns for safety for himself...he's missing the part of the brain we all have that controls those things," said Ridolfi's attorney Frank Azar in an interview with FOX 31 Denver on Sunday.
The jury assessed 27 percent of the fault for Ridolfi's injuries to Riddell, making the company responsible for paying $3.1 million of the damages.
Meanwhile, Riddell said it planned to appeal the verdict but was pleased that jurors rejected allegations regarding helmet design defects.
"While disappointed in the jury's decision not to fully exonerate Riddell, we are pleased the jury determined that Riddell's helmet was not defective in any way," the company said in a statement. It said it believes it designs and manufactures the most protective football headgear for athletes.
