PHILADELPHIA — A Dauphin County couple have filed a wrongful death class action against the NCAA on behalf of their late son, who played college football at Lock Haven University.
Daniel Strawbridge died in March 2018. His parents, Tom and Donna Strawbridge, sued the NCAA on Feb. 28 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The complaint accuses the NCAA of keeping “players and the public in the dark” regarding “the debilitating long-term dangers of concussions, concussion-related injuries and subconcussive injuries” that result from football.
Strawbridge played defensive back at Lock Haven in the 2013-15 and 2017 seasons. His parents said the school had no adequate concussion protocols or policies and alleged their son “suffered from issues including, but not limited to, headaches, anxiety, depression, loss of concentration and emotional instability.” After his death, doctors diagnosed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated head injuries. Symptoms may include behavioral problems, mood problems, and problems with thinking, and typically do not begin until years after the injuries.
The class would include anyone who participated in Lock Haven’s football program from 1925 through 2017. Formal complaints include negligence, breach of express contract and fraudulent concealment.
In addition to class certification and damages, the couple request a jury trial.
The Houston firm of Shrader & Associates is representing the Strawbridges and seeks to be appointed class counsel.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:20-cv-01212-ER