Junior Seau's family sues NFL in wrongful death lawsuit

Junior Seau's family is suing the NFL in a wrongful death lawsuit. (Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The family of the late Junior Seau is suing the NFL for not acting on information it had about the dangers of repeated head injuries.

Posthumous tests revealed earlier in January that Seau, who died last May from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, had suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the result of sustaining multiple concussions as a veteran NFL linebacker for almost two decades.

According to a report from the Associated Press, the family is blaming the league for turning a blind eye to these kinds of injuries. The suit was filed on Wednesday in California Superior Court in San Diego and alleges that the NFL is guilty of "acts or omissions" that hid the dangers of concussions. The Seaus also claim that the NFL purposely ignored or concealed evidence that showed brain injuries.

The family is also suing Riddell, Inc., the manufacturer of NFL helmets, for its "negligent" design:

Helmet manufacturer Riddell Inc., also is being sued by the Seaus, who say Riddell was "negligent in their design, testing, assembly, manufacture, marketing, and engineering of the helmets" used by NFL players. The suit says the helmets were unreasonably dangerous and unsafe.

The Seaus said they hope the lawsuit will send a message that instead of glorying violence, the league needs to do a better job at caring for its players:

"We know this lawsuit will not bring back Junior. But it will send a message that the NFL needs to care for its former players, acknowledge its decades of deception on the issue of head injuries and player safety, and make the game safer for future generations."