Report: Steve Montador Planned To Sue NHL Over Concussions
(CBS/AP) Prior to his death, former Blackhawks defenseman Steve Montador had planned to sue the NHL over its failure to handle concussions properly and warn players of long-term risks, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday afternoon.
Montador was found unconscious in his home in Mississauga, Ontario, early Sunday morning and was later pronounced dead, according to the Peel Region Police. He was 35. No foul play was suspected, and an autopsy is going to be conducted to determine the cause of death.
Montador played for six teams in a 10-year NHL career and reportedly suffered multiple concussions. He had five goals and nine assists in 52 games with Chicago in his last NHL season. Montador suffered a concussion in February 2012 and played in just one game the rest of the year.
Attorney William Gibbs, who Montador retained from Demetrio & Corboy, expects an individual lawsuit will still be filed on behalf of Montador and his family, the Tribune reported.
Separately, a class action lawsuit has already been filed with more than 70 players named as parties that accuses the NHL of a "long history of dragging its feet to protect its players," the Tribune reported.