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Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for a printable PDF version of the full set of FAQs.
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Basic Information
  • 1. What is the Settlement about?
  • 2. What are the benefits of the Settlement?
  • 3. Who is included in the Settlement Class?
  • 4. Who are the settlement administrators?
  • 5. Who are the Special Masters?
  • 6. What if I do not like how the settlement administrators or Special Masters are administering the Settlement Agreement?
  • 7. Do the settlement administrators report to Class Counsel or the NFL Parties?
  • 8. Does the Claims Administrator share the contents of my Claim Package with Class Counsel or the NFL Parties?
  • 9. Does the Claims Administrator share the contents of my Claim Package with any other people or entities?
  • 10. How do I authorize the Claims Administrator to speak to someone else about my claim?
  • 11. When was the Effective Date? What is it?
  • 12. How does the Claims Administrator calculate the number of days I have to respond to a notice or take other actions in the Settlement Program?
  • 13. If I have to respond to the Claims Administrator by a deadline, what is considered the date of my response or submission?
  • 14. If I opted out of the Settlement, can I still get benefits from this Settlement?
  • 15. I opted out of the Settlement. May I revoke that Opt Out and get back into the Settlement Program?
  • 16. If I am a Settlement Class Member who did not opt out of the Settlement, can I sue the NFL Parties for the same thing later?
  • 17. Can I still opt out of the Settlement?
  • 18. What if I do not like the terms of the Settlement Agreement?
  • 19. Are there any tools on the Settlement Website to help me understand the Settlement Agreement and how to make a claim?
  • 20. Where can I find the Special Master’s or the Court’s published decisions on appeals or statute of limitations matters?
  • 21. How do I get more information about the Settlement?
  • 22. How do I report potential fraud to the Claims Administrator?
  • 23. What if my situation or circumstances are not covered by these FAQs?
Settlement Agreement Benefits - General Information
  • 24. Must a Retired NFL Football Player be vested under the NFL Retirement Plan to receive Settlement benefits?
  • 25. Are the Settlement benefits connected to any NFL or NFLPA-related benefits programs?
  • 26. If I receive benefits under an NFL disability plan (such as the 88 Plan), Social Security, or any other disability plan, do I automatically qualify for a Monetary Award in the Settlement Program?
  • 27. Does this Settlement prevent Retired NFL Football Players from bringing workers’ compensation claims?
  • 28. What types of education programs are supported by the Settlement?
  • 29. If the science about the Qualifying Diagnoses changes, will the Settlement Program change the definitions or testing protocols for them?
Registration
  • 30. May I still register in the Settlement as a Retired NFL Football Player?
  • 31. May I still register in the Settlement as a Representative Claimant?
  • 32. May I still register in the Settlement as a Derivative Claimant?
  • 33. What if I disagree with the Claims Administrator’s initial determination on my registration?
  • 34. What if I disagree with the Claims Administrator’s decision about my registration determination challenge?
  • 35. Are there any rules covering registration determinations and appeals?
  • 36. How can I send registration information to the Claims Administrator?
  • 37. Does registering mean I filed a claim?
  • 38. How do I change my mailing address?
  • 39. How do I change my name or Social Security Number (or other Taxpayer Identification Number) that I have given the Program?
  • 40. Do I have to provide my Social Security Number to participate in the Settlement Program?
  • 41. How does the Claims Administrator calculate a Retired NFL Football Player’s Eligible Seasons?
  • 42. Where does the Claims Administrator get information about a Retired NFL Football Player’s Eligible Seasons?
  • 43. I received a Notice of Incomplete Registration saying I am missing proof of playing NFL Football. What are the next steps?
Baseline Assessment Program
  • 44. What is the Baseline Assessment Program (“BAP”)?
  • 45. Who can participate in the BAP?
  • 46. Why should I have a BAP exam?
  • 47. How many doctors will I see in a BAP exam?
  • 48. Who pays for these BAP exams?
  • 49. Who can be a Qualified BAP Provider?
  • 50. Can I choose my own doctors for the BAP exam?
  • 51. Do the Qualified BAP Providers report to the NFL?
  • 52. Is there a deadline for taking the BAP exam?
  • 53. How long will the Baseline Assessment Program be available?
  • 54. How do I access the BAP Portal?
  • 55. How can I schedule a BAP exam?
  • 56. Where do I go for my BAP exam?
  • 57. How long does a BAP exam take?
  • 58. Is it possible to schedule both parts of the BAP exam on the same day?
  • 59. Can BAP appointments be rescheduled or cancelled?
  • 60. What happens if I miss a BAP appointment?
  • 61. What do I need to prepare for my BAP appointment?
  • 62. Should I bring someone with me to my BAP appointment?
  • 63. What kind of diagnosis can I get from a BAP exam?
  • 64. What about conditions like ALS, Parkinson’s Disease, or Alzheimer’s Disease?
  • 65. Does there have to be a diagnosis? What if I am OK?
  • 66. What happens after a BAP exam?
  • 67. What should I do if my BAP exam results in a diagnosis?
  • 68. Will my Monetary Award be affected if I do not have a BAP exam?
  • 69. What are BAP Supplemental Benefits?
  • 70. How long will I have to use my BAP Supplemental Benefits?
  • 71. How much will my BAP Supplemental Benefits cover? Is there a limit?
  • 72. Will any medical or pharmacy records from BAP Supplemental Benefits be available to the NFL?
  • 73. What is a Qualified BAP Pharmacy Vendor?
  • 74. I received a “Baseline Assessment Program HIPAA Authorization Form.” What do I do with it?
Monetary Awards
  • 75. Who can submit a claim for a Monetary Award?
  • 76. What is a Claim Package?
  • 77. How do I submit a Claim Package?
  • 78. Where do I send my Claim Package if I do not use an online Portal?
  • 79. When can I submit a Claim Package?
  • 80. Is there a deadline to submit my Claim Package?
  • 81. How can I change answers I made in my Claim Form?
  • 82. What is a Qualifying Diagnosis?
  • 83. Should I get a BAP exam or see a Qualified MAF Physician?
  • 84. What kind of physicians are authorized to make a Qualifying Diagnosis?
  • 85. Who is a Qualified MAF Physician?
  • 86. Who helps with the operation and implementation of the network of Qualified MAF Physicians?
  • 87. What is the MAF Steering Committee?
  • 88. How do I get evaluated for a Qualifying Diagnosis if I do not already have one?
  • 89. Is there any limit on which Qualified MAF Physician I may choose to examine me?
  • 90. If my diagnosing physician is both a Qualified BAP Provider and a Qualified MAF Physician, how do I know if the diagnosis is made in or outside the BAP?
  • 91. Does the physician who makes the Qualifying Diagnosis of a Retired NFL Football Player have to see and examine that Player in person?
  • 92. If a Retired NFL Football Player shares past medical records with a Qualified MAF Physician, is that physician permitted to ask the Player to submit additional records?
  • 93. May Qualified MAF Physicians rely on records from providers who were disqualified or terminated because their medical practices and/or reasoning did not comply with the Settlement Program's specific requirements and criteria?  
  • 94. Do I need to tell the Qualified MAF Physician about my work and other activities?
  • 95. What kinds of communications may I have with the Qualified MAF Physician?
  • 96. Is there any limit on which neuropsychologist the Qualified MAF Physician may refer me to for neuropsychological testing?
  • 97. Can the representative of a deceased Retired NFL Football Player submit a claim now?
  • 98. What should I do if I already have a Qualifying Diagnosis?
  • 99. Does it matter when the Retired NFL Football Player was diagnosed?
  • 100. What dates matter for when the Qualifying Diagnosis is made?
  • 101. How is the date of a Qualifying Diagnosis determined?
  • 102. Which diagnostic criteria must a physician use when making my Qualifying Diagnosis? When and to what diagnoses does the “generally consistent” criteria apply?
  • 103. What does “generally consistent” mean?
  • 104. What makes a Claim Package complete?
  • 105. What can I submit to prove that I have more Eligible Seasons than what the Claims Administrator found for me when I registered?
  • 106. What counts as a medical record?
  • 107. What does it mean for medical records to “reflect” my Qualifying Diagnosis?
  • 108. What does it mean for medical records to “support” my Qualifying Diagnosis?
  • 109. What must the medical records show for Level 1.5 and Level 2 Neurocognitive Impairment diagnoses made in the BAP by Qualified BAP Providers?
  • 110. What must the medical records show for Level 1.5 and Level 2 Neurocognitive Impairment diagnoses made outside the BAP for living Retired NFL Football Players?
  • 111. Are Qualified MAF Physicians required to follow the strict BAP criteria when making a diagnosis of Level 1.5 or Level 2 Neurocognitive Impairment?
  • 112. What must the medical records show for Level 1.5 and Level 2 Neurocognitive Impairment diagnoses for Retired NFL Football Players who died before January 7, 2017 (the Effective Date) and cannot participate in the BAP or be diagnosed by a Qualified MAF Physician?
  • 113. How are diagnosing physicians to apply the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale to Level 1.5 and Level 2 Neurocognitive Impairment Qualifying Diagnoses?
  • 114. What must be included in a sworn statement corroborating a Retired NFL Football Player’s functional impairment for a Level 1.5 or Level 2 claim?
  • 115. How is the SWS-3 (Third-Party Sworn Statement: Functional Impairment) different from the Employment History and Social and Community Activity of Retired NFL Football Player Forms?
  • 116. Are raw scores and/or raw data required for all Monetary Award claims?
  • 117. What must the medical records show for Alzheimer’s Disease?
  • 118. Is a biomarker test (such as an amyloid PET, spinal fluid test) enough to establish my Qualifying Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease?
  • 119. What must the medical records show for Parkinson’s Disease?
  • 120. Are auxiliary tests, including biomarker tests, enough to establish my Qualifying Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease?
  • 121. What must the medical records show for Death with CTE?
  • 122. What must the medical records show for ALS?
  • 123. What if I cannot get medical records or a Diagnosing Physician Certification Form from the diagnosing physician?
  • 124. If I cannot get medical records or a Diagnosing Physician Certification Form from the diagnosing physician, is there anything specific I should submit to show my attempts to get such documents?
  • 125. What exceptions are allowed under Section 8.2(a) of the Settlement Agreement for Representative Claimants of deceased Retired NFL Football Players?
  • 126. What is the SWS-2?
  • 127. What exceptions are allowed under Section 8.2(a) of the Settlement Agreement for living Retired NFL Football Players or Representative Claimants of legally incapacitated or incompetent Players?
  • 128. Are there other instances not listed in Section 8.2 of the Settlement Agreement where the medical records or Diagnosing Physician Certification Form requirement may be excused?
  • 129. What happens after the Claims Administrator grants an exception under Section 8.2(a) or the parties to the Settlement Agreement grant an exception for a situation not covered by Section 8.2(a)?
  • 130. Who reviews my claim for a Monetary Award?
  • 131. How is my diagnosis reviewed? When and to what does the “generally consistent” standard apply?
  • 132. What is the AAP and what does it do?
  • 133. What is the AAP Leadership Council?
  • 134. What is the AAPC and what does it do?
  • 135. I received a Qualifying Diagnosis through the BAP. Do I have to do anything else to receive a Monetary Award?
  • 136. I received a Qualifying Diagnosis from a Qualified MAF Physician. Do I have to do anything else to receive a Monetary Award?
  • 137. If I received a Qualifying Diagnosis from a Qualified MAF Physician, what types of records will the physician send to the Claims Administrator?
  • 138. What happens after I submit my Claim Package?
  • 139. Can I receive a Monetary Award for more than one Qualifying Diagnosis on the same claim?
  • 140. I received a Notice of Preliminary Review. What does that mean?
  • 141. I received a Notice of Request for Additional Documents. What does that mean?
  • 142. What happens after I respond to my notice asking for more information for my claim?
  • 143. What happens if I never respond to the Notice of Preliminary Review or the Notice of Request for Additional Documents?
  • 144. May I get more time to respond to a notice from the Settlement Program?
  • 145. Does the Claims Administrator question the medical judgment of the physician who made the Qualifying Diagnosis?
  • 146. I have provided my claim to the Claims Administrator and it is now complete enough to send to the AAP. What happens next?
  • 147. How can I check the status of my Claim Package review?
  • 148. How long could it take to review my Claim Package from start to finish?
  • 149. If I am eligible for a Monetary Award, how much money will I receive?
  • 150. What is a Stroke or Traumatic Brain Injury in this Settlement Program?
  • 151. Can I be found eligible for a Monetary Award based on a Qualifying Diagnosis that is different than the one I claimed?
  • 152. What can I do if I do not like my Claim Package determination (eligible or denied)?
  • 153. Can I withdraw my claim?
  • 154. Can the Claims Administrator change the outcome of my claim after I receive a notice?
  • 155. Can I submit a new claim for a Monetary Award if the Claims Administrator has denied my claim?
  • 156. If I received a Monetary Award for one Qualifying Diagnosis, can I later receive a Monetary Award for a different Qualifying Diagnosis? What is a Supplemental Monetary Award?
  • 157. Can Class Counsel or the NFL appeal my Claim Package determination?
  • 158. Are there any rules covering determinations that a Monetary Award claim is or is not barred by the statute of limitations under applicable state law?
Representative Claimants
  • 159. Who is a Representative Claimant?
  • 160. How do I become a Representative Claimant?
  • 161. How will the Claims Administrator determine whether my court order or other official document is sufficient proof that I can be a Retired NFL Football Player’s Representative Claimant?
  • 162. How will the Claims Administrator determine whether my Power of Attorney (POA) is sufficient proof that I can be a legally incapacitated or incompetent Retired Player’s Representative Claimant?
  • 163. Can a Retired NFL Football Player have more than one Representative Claimant?
  • 164. What happens if more than one person registers as a Representative Claimant for the same Retired NFL Football Player?
  • 165. Can I be a Retired NFL Football Player’s Derivative Claimant if I am his Representative Claimant?
  • 166. Do Representative Claimants have to register for benefits?
  • 167. What happens if a registered Retired NFL Football Player or Representative Claimant becomes legally incompetent or incapacitated or dies after registering?
  • 168. If I am a Representative Claimant, do I have to submit a Claim Package?
Derivative Claimants
  • 169. Who is a Derivative Claimant?
  • 170. Can a Retired NFL Football Player have more than one Derivative Claimant?
  • 171. May someone be a Derivative Claimant of more than one Retired NFL Football Player?
  • 172. Can a deceased person be a Derivative Claimant?
  • 173. Can I register as a Retired NFL Football Player’s Derivative Claimant if I also registered as a Representative Claimant?
  • 174. Do Derivative Claimants have to register for benefits?
  • 175. What happens if no one registers as a Derivative Claimant for a Retired NFL Football Player?
  • 176. How do I submit a Derivative Claim Package?
  • 177. Where do I send my Derivative Claim Package if I do not use an online Portal?
  • 178. Is there a deadline to submit my Derivative Claim Package?
  • 179. What happens after I submit my Derivative Claim Package?
  • 180. What makes a Derivative Claim Package complete?
  • 181. How will the Retired NFL Football Player know if someone has registered as a Derivative Claimant?
  • 182. How will I know if other Derivative Claimants have registered for the same Retired NFL Football Player?
  • 183. How will I know if the Retired NFL Football Player challenged my Derivative Claimant status?
  • 184. What happens if one Derivative Claimant does not want to share the 1% Derivative Claimant Award equally with another Derivative Claimant?
  • 185. What law does the Claims Administrator use to analyze Derivative Claimant issues?
  • 186. Are there any rules covering appeals of Derivative Claimant challenge determinations?
Lawyers
  • 187. Who is Class Counsel?
  • 188. Do I need a lawyer to represent me individually in this Program?
  • 189. How did a lawyer register me?
  • 190. What are Common Benefit Fees and how will Class Counsel be paid?
  • 191. How will my individual lawyer be paid?
  • 192. Can I terminate my relationship with my individual lawyer?
  • 193. How do I tell the Claims Administrator I have a new lawyer or that I do not have a lawyer?
Petitions for Deviation from Fee Cap
  • 194. What is a Petition for Deviation from the fee cap?
  • 195. Will the attorney’s fees be reduced to pay for common benefit attorneys?
  • 196. Where can I get a copy of the Rules Governing Petitions for Deviation from the Fee Cap?
  • 197. Who are the Parties involved in a Petition for Deviation from the fee cap? 
  • 198. Can a party to an Attorney's Lien Dispute file a Petition for Deviation?
  • 199. How will a Petition for Deviation be resolved if there is also an Attorney's Lien asserted against the Settlement Class Member?
  • 200. Who determines whether to grant a Petition for Deviation from the fee cap?
  • 201. Where do I file a Petition for Deviation from the fee cap?
  • 202. What is the deadline for filing a Petition for Deviation from the fee cap?
  • 203. How do I serve documents related to a Petition for Deviation from the fee cap? 
  • 204. What information must be included in a Petition for Deviation from the fee cap?
  • 205. What is a Memorandum in Support and when is it due? 
  • 206. What information must be included in a Memorandum in Support?
  • 207. What is a Response Memorandum and when is it due?
  • 208. What information must be included in a Response Memorandum? 
  • 209. What is a Reply Memorandum and when is it due? 
  • 210. What information may be included in a Reply Memorandum? 
  • 211. What if I miss the deadline to submit my Memorandum in Support, Response Memorandum, or Reply Memorandum? 
  • 212. What information will the Magistrate Judge consider in making the Report and Recommendation or the final decision? 
  • 213. If I am unrepresented in the Petition for Deviation proceedings, can I ask to have a lawyer appointed to represent me? 
  • 214. Can I ask for a hearing on a Petition for Deviation from the fee cap? 
  • 215. How will I find out if the Magistrate Judge grants a hearing and when will the hearing be scheduled? 
  • 216. What happens at a hearing?
  • 217. Do I have to participate in the hearing?
  • 218. Do I have to be represented by a lawyer at the hearing?  Can I have a non-lawyer advocate? 
  • 219. When will the Magistrate Judge issue a Report and Recommendation or a final decision? 
  • 220. Can I object to the Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation? 
  • 221. Who makes the final decision resolving the Petition for Deviation from the fee cap? 
  • 222. Can the District Judge or the Magistrate Judge change the final decision? 
  • 223. Can I appeal the final decision? 
  • 224. How will the withheld funds be paid after the final decision? 
Liens - Information for Settlement Class Members
  • 225. What is a Lien?
  • 226. What Liens will the Claims Administrator pay out of my Award?
  • 227. What is a Medical Lien?
  • 228. What is an Attorney's Lien?
  • 229. What are the kinds of Other Liens recognized in the Settlement Program?
  • 230. Are there any debts that the Claims Administrator will not pay?
  • 231. Do Medical Liens have to be resolved out of my Award?
  • 232. What could happen if I do not resolve my Medical Liens?
  • 233. How do I know if there is a Lien against me?
  • 234. What if I identify a Lien on my Claim Form?
  • 235. How do I respond to the notice of Lien from the Settlement Program?
  • 236. I received a notice from my healthcare insurer saying that it may have a Lien against me. What should I do?
  • 237. Should I contact a lienholder to speed up the Medical Lien resolution process?
  • 238. I have medical coverage through Medicare. What should I do?
  • 239. What about Medicare Part C and Part D Liens?
  • 240. I have medical coverage through Medicaid. What should I do?
  • 241. I (or my spouse) served in the military, so I have medical coverage through TRICARE or the Department of Veterans Affairs. What should I do?
  • 242. I have medical coverage through the Department of Indian Health Services. What should I do?
  • 243. What agreements and with which agencies has the Lien Resolution Administrator been able to secure on behalf of Settlement Class Members?
  • 244. I have a private medical insurance plan. Can they claim a Lien on my Award?
  • 245. What happens if I dispute a Lien?
  • 246. What is a Dispute over an Attorney’s Lien?
  • 247. Where can I get a copy of the Rules that apply to the Attorneys’ Liens dispute resolution process?
  • 248. How does a Dispute over an Attorney’s Lien get into the Attorneys’ Liens dispute resolution process?
  • 249. Who are the Parties in an Attorney’s Lien Dispute?
  • 250. Who resolves an Attorney’s Lien Dispute?
  • 251. Do I have to try to reach an agreement with the attorney who asserted a Lien against my Award?
  • 252. How do I serve document submissions in the Attorneys’ Liens dispute resolution process?
  • 253. What do I need to submit in the Attorneys’ Liens dispute resolution process?
  • 254. What is a Statement of Dispute and when is it due?
  • 255. What information must be included in my Statement of Dispute?
  • 256. What is a Response Memorandum and when is it due?
  • 257. What if I miss the deadline to submit my Statement of Dispute or Response Memorandum?
  • 258. What information will the Magistrate Judge consider in making the Report and Recommendation or the final decision?
  • 259. If I am unrepresented, can I ask to have a lawyer appointed to represent me in the Attorney's Lien Dispute?
  • 260. Can I ask for a hearing on the Attorney's Lien Dispute?
  • 261. How will I find out if the Magistrate Judge grants a hearing on the Attorney's Lien Dispute and when will the hearing be scheduled?
  • 262. What happens at a hearing on an Attorney's Lien Dispute?
  • 263. Do I have to participate in the hearing on the Attorney's Lien Dispute?
  • 264. Do I have to be represented by a lawyer at the hearing on the Attorney's Lien Dispute? Can I have a non-lawyer advocate?
  • 265. Can I withdraw a Dispute from the Attorneys' Liens dispute resolution process?
  • 266. How do I withdraw a Dispute from the Attorneys' Liens dispute resolution process?
  • 267. What information will the Magistrate Judge consider in making the Report and Recommendation or the final decision on the Withdrawals?
  • 268. When will the Magistrate Judge issue a Report and Recommendation or a final decision?
  • 269. Can I object to the Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation?
  • 270. Who makes the final decision resolving an Attorney's Lien Dispute?
  • 271. Can the District Judge or the Magistrate Judge change the final decision on an Attorney's Lien Dispute?
  • 272. Can I appeal the final decision on an Attorney's Lien Dispute?
  • 273. How will the withheld funds be paid after the final decision on an Attorney's Lien Dispute?
  • 274. How and when is a Lien paid?
  • 275. What happens if more than one Lien exists against a single Monetary Award or Derivative Claimant Award and there is not enough money to pay all of the Liens in full?
  • 276. Will I be notified when the Claims Administrator pays a Lien?
  • 277. Whom do I contact with questions about Liens?
Liens - Information for Lienholders
  • 278. How does a lienholder notify the Settlement Program of a Medical Lien?
  • 279. How does a lienholder notify the Settlement Program of an Attorney's Lien or an Other Lien?
  • 280. What information must a government health insurer provide to assert a Medical Lien?
  • 281. What information is required from a private healthcare insurer to assert an alleged Lien?
  • 282. What information is required to assert an Attorney’s Lien?
  • 283. What information is required to assert an Other Lien?
  • 284. What happens after I submit the required information and documents for a valid Lien?
  • 285. What happens if a Settlement Class Member disputes a Medical Lien?
  • 286. What happens if a Settlement Class Member disputes an Attorney’s Lien?
  • 287. What happens if a Settlement Class Member disputes an Other Lien?
  • 288. What is a Dispute over an Attorney’s Lien?
  • 289. Where can I get a copy of the Rules that apply to the Attorneys’ Liens dispute resolution process?
  • 290. How does a Dispute over an Attorney’s Lien get into the Attorneys’ Liens dispute resolution process?
  • 291. Who are the Parties in an Attorney’s Lien Dispute?
  • 292. Who resolves an Attorney’s Lien Dispute?
  • 293. Do I have to try to reach an agreement with the Settlement Class Member over the disputed Lien?
  • 294. How do I serve document submissions in the Attorneys’ Liens dispute resolution process?
  • 295. What do I need to submit in the Attorneys’ Liens dispute resolution process?
  • 296. What is a Statement of Dispute and when is it due?
  • 297. What information must be included in my Statement of Dispute?
  • 298. What is a Response Memorandum and when is it due?
  • 299. What if I miss the deadline to submit my Statement of Dispute or Response Memorandum?
  • 300. What information will the Magistrate Judge consider in making the Report and Recommendation or the final decision?
  • 301. Can I request a hearing on the Attorney's Lien Dispute?
  • 302. How will I find out if the Magistrate Judge grants a hearing on the Attorney's Lien Dispute and when will the hearing be scheduled?
  • 303. What happens at a hearing on an Attorney's Lien Dispute?
  • 304. Do I have to participate in the hearing on an Attorney's Lien Dispute?
  • 305. Can I withdraw a Dispute from the Attorneys' Liens dispute resolution process?
  • 306. How do I withdraw a Dispute from the Attorneys' Liens dispute resolution process?
  • 307. What information will the Magistrate Judge consider in making the Report and Recommendation or the final decision on the Withdrawals?
  • 308. When will the Magistrate Judge issue a Report and Recommendation or a final decision?
  • 309. Can I object to the Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation?
  • 310. Who makes the final decision resolving the Attorney's Lien Dispute?
  • 311. Can the District Judge or the Magistrate Judge change the final decision on an Attorney's Lien Dispute?
  • 312. Can I appeal the final decision on an Attorney's Lien Dispute?

  • 313. How will the withheld funds be paid after the final decision on an Attorney's Lien Dispute?
  • 314. Whom do I contact with questions about Liens?
Payments
  • 315. I received a Notice of Monetary Award Claim Determination or Notice of Derivative Claimant Award Determination. Do I need to do anything else to receive payment of the award?
  • 316. When will I receive payment for my Monetary Award or Derivative Claimant Award?
  • 317. Who will issue the payment to me?
  • 318. How will the funds be issued by Citibank?
  • 319. If I want to appeal only part of my Monetary Award amount, can I get paid for the rest before my appeal is final?
  • 320. Will my Monetary Award or Derivative Claimant Award be issued to my lawyer or directly to me?
  • 321. Can a Settlement Class Member assign rights to receive his or her Monetary Award or Derivative Claimant Award, or a portion of the Award, to a third party?
  • 322. What is the fee cap?
  • 323. What happens to those lawyers’ fees and expenses that the Claims Administrator has withheld from Award payments?
  • 324. What are claims service providers and are they covered by the fee cap?
  • 325. Do lawyers have to send a statement of contingency fees and expenses to the Claims Administrator?
  • 326. What does the Claims Administrator do with the 5% Common Benefit Fund Holdback?
Audit
  • 327. What is an audit?
  • 328. How does an audit affect the regular processing of my claim?
  • 329. Why did I receive a Notice of Audit of Claim?
  • 330. I received a Notice of Audit of Claim after I received a Notice of Monetary Award Claim Determination or a Notice of Denial of Monetary Award Claim. How does the audit affect my claim?
  • 331. Are there any rules covering the audit of claims?
  • 332. Who is the Special Investigator?
  • 333. Why did I receive a Notice of Referral to Special Investigator?
Bankruptcy
  • 334. Why does the Settlement Program need to know whether I filed bankruptcy?
  • 335. How does the Settlement Program identify a Bankruptcy Issue Claimant?
  • 336. How does a current or prior bankruptcy case affect my Monetary Award Claim?
  • 337. What is the Bankruptcy Review process?
  • 338. Which Bankruptcy Issue Claimants must provide Bankruptcy Documents?
  • 339. What Bankruptcy Documents are required?
  • 340. I received a Notice of Bankruptcy Question Delaying Payment. What does this mean?
  • 341. My Bankruptcy Case is closed. Why am I required to provide Bankruptcy Documents?
  • 342. I received a Bankruptcy Trustee Notice. What does this mean?
  • 343. My bankruptcy proceeding is closed, and I cannot provide the required Bankruptcy Documents. What can I do?
  • 344. I received a Bankruptcy Trustee Communication Notice. What does this mean?
  • 345. My Bankruptcy Trustee signed the Bankruptcy Trustee Release of Information form. Am I still required to provide Bankruptcy Documents?
Appeals
  • 346. Are there any rules covering appeals of claim determinations?
  • 347. Can I appeal the Claims Administrator’s determination of any amounts deducted from my Monetary Award or Derivative Claimant Award for Liens?
  • 348. Who are the appellant and the appellee on an appeal of a claim?
  • 349. Why was my claim remanded to the Claims Administrator?
  • 350. If my claim is remanded from an appeal to the Claims Administrator, what happens to the $1,000 Appeals Fee I paid? 
  • 351. May the NFL Parties offer medical or other new evidence on appeal?
  • 352. If a party offers new evidence in a brief on appeal, how does that affect the due date for the responding party’s brief? How will I know whether there will be a remand or whether I need to address the new evidence in what I file?
  • 353. If new evidence added on appeal leads to remand to the Claims Administrator, can a party offer new evidence in every appeal to force a remand and re-review, either to get another chance at payment or denial, or to delay things?
  • 354. Will the Court review a decision by a Special Master allowing or excluding new evidence on a claim appeal?
  • 355. How will remands of claims on appeal work?
  • 356. Can a claim be appealed again after the Special Master remands it and the Claims Administrator issues a new notice?
External Evidence
  • 357. What is External Evidence?
  • 358. Why does the Claims Administrator receive External Evidence?
  • 359. What happens after the Claims Administrator receives or finds External Evidence?
  • 360. Is the External Evidence available to Class Counsel and the NFL Parties?
  • 361. I received a Notice of External Evidence. What should I do?
Special Master Appeal Decisions
  • 362. Who determines the appropriate model for predicting premorbid functioning?
  • 363. How much deference does the Claims Administrator give to the Diagnosing Physician's determination that neuropsychological testing is medically unnecessary?
  • 364. How should a Qualified MAF Physician apply the Generally Consistent standard when making a Qualifying Diagnosis? How will the Claims Administrator confirm that a Qualifying Diagnosis is Generally Consistent with the Settlement criteria?
  • 365. Can new evidence or records, not considered by my physician, that show behavior or activity occurring before my Qualifying Diagnosis result in a Denial of my Claim?
  • 366. Can new evidence or records, not considered by my physician, that show behavior or activity occurring after my Qualifying Diagnosis result in a Denial of my Claim?
  • 367. Does my evaluating physician need to address my medication side-effects or other conditions that may affect my cognitive function when deciding whether I have a Qualifying Diagnosis?
  • 368. If my performance on validity test measures is determined to invalidate my neuropsychological testing, can that testing support a Qualifying Diagnosis?
  • 369. When will the Claims Administrator apply the Stroke offset?
  • 370. Can one diagnosis be used as proof that a Player had a different Qualifying Diagnosis?
  • 371. What are the Slick criteria and how is the Slick criteria analysis performed?
  • 372. Do the Claims Administrator and/or the AAP defer to the clinician’s judgment when reviewing the Slick criteria?
  • 373. Is the diagnosing physician required to interview a knowledgeable informant as part of the CDR evaluation?
  • 374. Is driving generally consistent with the required CDR scores for Level 2 Neurocognitive Impairment?
Norming Agreement
  • 375. What are Black Race Norms and Black Race Demographic Estimates?
  • 376. What is the Norming Agreement?
  • 377. What is the New Method?
  • 378. What modifications were made to the Settlement Program's neuropsychological testing protocol?
  • 379. What happens next if I think my prior Settlement Claim(s) or neuropsychological test results may have been adversely affected by the consideration of race?
  • 380. Who is eligible for Automatic Retrospective Rescoring under the Norming Agreement?
  • 381. Are any Settlement Class Members excluded from Automatic Retrospective Rescoring under the Norming Agreement?
  • 382. Who determines whether prior testing qualifies for Automatic Retrospective Rescoring?
  • 383. Who will conduct the Automatic Retrospective Rescoring?
  • 384. Will I be notified as to whether my prior test results qualify for Automatic Retrospective Rescoring?
  • 385. When will I be notified if my prior testing qualifies for Automatic Retrospective Rescoring?
  • 386. What will happen if my prior testing is not eligible for Automatic Retrospective Rescoring?
  • 387. Who is eligible for an Expanded BAP Examination under the Norming Agreement?
  • 388. Are any Retired NFL Football Players excluded from eligibility for an Expanded BAP Examination under the Norming Agreement?
  • 389. Who determines eligibility for the Expanded BAP Examination?
  • 390. Is there a deadline for requesting an Expanded BAP Examination?
  • 391. Will I be notified of my Expanded BAP Examination results?
  • 392. Can I get my tests rescored without going through an Expanded BAP Examination?
  • 393. Is there a deadline to get my tests rescored without going through the Expanded BAP Examinations?
  • 394. Who is not eligible to submit new Settlement Claims based on rescored prior testing?
  • 395. If I am eligible to get my previous neuropsychological testing rescored at my own expense as described in FAQs 392 to 394, and choose to do so, what do I need to submit with my new Settlement Claim?
Common Questions

When can I submit a Claim Package?

Is there a deadline to submit my Claim Package?

What does it mean for medical records to “reflect” my Qualifying Diagnosis?

How long could it take to review my Claim Package from start to finish?

I received a Notice of Monetary Award Claim Determination or Notice of Derivative Claimant Award Determination. Do I need to do anything else to receive payment of the award?

When will I receive payment for my Monetary Award or Derivative Claimant Award?

 

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