(CNN)— A federal judge has given final approval to a
class-action lawsuit settlement between the National
Football League and thousands of former players, the
league said.
The agreement provides up to $5 million per retired
player for serious medical conditions associated with
repeated head trauma.
While the lawsuit was a combination of hundreds of
actions brought by more than 5,000 ex-NFL players, the
settlement applies to all players who retired on or before
July 7, 2014, according to Judge Anita Brody's 132-page
decision.
It also applies to the family members of players who
died before that date.
About 200 other former players opted out of the
settlement to the lawsuit, which accused the NFL of
hiding the dangers of concussions.
The NFL said the players and their families would be
eligible for "prompt and substantial benefits."
"Today's decision powerfully underscores the fairness
and propriety of this historic settlement," said Jeff Pash,
the NFL's top lawyer.
There is no cap on the amount of funds available to pay
the monetary awards and all valid claims will be paid in
full for 65 years.
Initially there was a $765 million figure on the settlement
with $675 million capped. Brody declined in January 2014
to approve the deal, saying she was concerned about
the amount of money.
But another agreement reached in June eliminated a
maximum for the monetary award fund. Brody gave her
tentative approval to the deal two weeks later, but also
held a hearing in November for people who wanted to
comment on the fairness of the deal.
In February, she told the plaintiffs and the NFL to
enhance the compensation for players who suffered
from symptoms of CTE, chronic traumatic
encephalopathy.
CTE is a progressive degenerative brain disease found in
some athletes with a history of repetitive brain trauma.
More than 50 former NFL players, including Junior Seau
and Dave Duerson, have been posthumously diagnosed
with the disease.
The retired players or their estates could receive
between $1.5 million and $5 million depending on their
age and the severity of their cognitive impairment.
Players with
fewer than five years of experience will receive smaller
awards.
The settlement also will provide eligible retired players
with baseline neurological exams.
People who want to file a claim must do so within 180
days of receiving notice the settlement is in effect.

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