Riddell has prevailed in a week-long trial as a jury in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi unanimously ruled in favor of a football helmet manufacturer in a case that challenged the protective qualities of Riddell’s football helmets.
The incident leading to the litigation occurred on September 13, 2006 at George County High School in Lucedale, Miss. “A.K.W. (a football player) was participating in his ninth grade football team’s practice,” according to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which issued a ruling (http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca5/11-60293/11-60293.0.wpd-2011-10-18.pdf?1318980684) in the fall of 2011 that propelled the case to a jury trial. “A.K.W.’s coaches were trying A.K.W. out as a middle linebacker during a scrimmage near the end of that day’s practice. On the final play of that scrimmage,
A.K.W. stepped up to tackle the opposing side’s quarterback and was aided in that tackle by two of his teammates. All of the players in on the tackle landed on top of A.K.W, whose head was the first thing to hit the ground. At the conclusion of practice, A.K.W.’s right eye blurred, he stumbled into a friend, and then collapsed on the football field. A.K.W.’s coaches removed his helmet, which is now lost. A.K.W. was taken to the University of South Alabama Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with a carotid artery tear that has since rendered him partially paralyzed.”
A.K.W.’s mother sued in Mississippi state court on her son’s behalf, alleging a defective design of the helmet. Riddell and the other defendants removed the case to federal court. After the initial ruling at the district court level and the subsequent appellate ruling, Riddell prepped for what would ultimately be a successful set of legal arguments before a jury.
“We are pleased that the jury recognized the rigorous approach that Riddell brings to the research, development, testing and certification of our protective sports equipment,” said Thomas Merrigan, the company’s general counsel. “This was demonstrated in a thorough and detailed presentation of evidence during the trial.”
Founded in 1929, Riddell is a designer and developer of protective sports equipment and an industry leader in helmet technology and innovation. One of Easton-Bell Sports, Inc.’s most well-known brands and the Official Helmet of the NFL®, Riddell is the leading manufacturer of football helmets, shoulder pads and reconditioning services (cleaning, repairing, repainting and recertifying existing equipment).
