The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2019325

How much is a career worth ? Not much, according to the damages awarded.
Look for a civil suit to follow.

I think that the verdict was not at all fair given the gravity of he injuries.
1. He shattered the guys eye socket.
2. Ended his career.
3. Williams now has vision and memory loss.

And all he gets is $340,000? He could have made well beyond that in an average NFL career. The jury should have awarded the average salary of a player at Williams' position, over the average length of a player's career.

Romo has a history of this kind of behavior, and an award of one year's salary is not enough. They also should have sued the Raiders under a theory in law called Respondeat Superior. Kind of like if an Applebee's employee beat you over the head while you were out at a restaraunt, you would sue the guy and join Applebee's in the suit.

I think this was a Civil Suit T.C., criminal charges were not brought against Romo.They went straight to a civil court.

I can't stand Roidmonowski.

Yeah, that was a paltry sum for all the damages caused. I hope this guy reaps the rewards in the civil suit.

The Hogster wrote:And all he gets is $340,000? He could have made well beyond that in an average NFL career. The jury should have awarded the average salary of a player at Williams' position, over the average length of a player's career.

Hmm, I'm not entirely sure what to think on the matter quite yet, but here are some initial reactions to the points that you brought up.

The average NFL career is 4 seasons long, and that's including all of the Darell Greens and Romanowskis that play. . .in fact, Williams was an UFA, so I'd really like to see what the average career length for a UFA is. I bet it's less than 2 seasons. Given a UFA's average salary (somewhere around the rookie / vet minimum plus minimal signing bonuses), it doesn't seem like you can hold Romanowski to much more than a season or two's worth of pay.

Then again, it seems like Williams was working his way onto the team slowly but surely. Who knows, he could have had an 8 year career worth tens of millions of dollars. In that respect it certainly doesn't seem just that he'd only get $300,000 after medical expenses.

But two additional things that caught my attention in the article:

1) Williams brought up a claim that Romanowski appears in his dreams to this day. I can't speak for how traumatic the experience was, but if they were using this as a way to try and get additional money in the suit then I think that his case loses some of its integrity. I'd personally be much more persuaded by an argument that says something like "the main point here is that I've lost my chance at an (average length) career making (average salary) per year. . .and while I believe that I would have made more than that I should receive at least that much in compensation."

2) Williams, speaking through his lawyer, seemed to be happy with the result. Perhaps even he felt that he kind of got away here with more money than he might have expected.

Again, I'm not entirely sure what to make of it all yet.

I can understand your points, but not only did Williams lose his opportunity to have a career in football, but he also suffered neurological damage that will impair him for an indefinite period of time in the future.

The damages there, are incomprehensible, but certainly should not be limited to his one year's salary. Put it like this...if you...in the course of your job for a company....went to work and were assaulted to the point of fracturing your skull...and incurring permanent neurological damage....would it be fair to give you one year's pay....even if you could not work again in your field?

I think that the lost wages would be a part of it, but what about punitive damages? What about the loss that your family incurs because you can not get meainingful employment in your specialty?

Not saying he should have gotten 100 million, but 340 k is way too low.
He should have sued the Oakland Raiders along with Roidmonowski, and perhaps they would have settled for a greater amount to compensate him for his injuries.

His lawyer seems to have blew it...for example...if you went to a Hotel for a conference or vacation, and you were brutally beaten by the janitor...you don't normally sue the janitor...you sue the Hotel...as I said before, they are liable for their employee's negligent acts. And they also have more incentive to settle the case without dragging it through a civil courtroom. Just some thoughts.

He will get more money in the civil suit.

I think they both should just fight it out in the Octagon!!! UFC style!!!!

This WAS the Civil Suit....there is no other trial. Williams did not try to bring criminal charges. If he did, the result would have been...jail time, or probation. Civil Suits are for money damages. This is it.

The Hogster wrote:This WAS the Civil Suit....there is no other trial. Williams did not try to bring criminal charges. If he did, the result would have been...jail time, or probation. Civil Suits are for money damages. This is it.

You are right. He got a bad deal then. The money he received, could have been handled between the lawyers.

Yep, and by the time you subtract the lawyer fees, Williams probably gets pennies....that's the sad part.

340,000 from a guy who probably has millions. but yet i have a friend from high school who rear-ended someone, to the extent that the only damage to the other persons car was a broken plastic license plate frame, and that bitch got 400,000????? whats this world coming to. ho said she hasn't been able to return to work since... please.

Anybody who honestly sees a raging Romo in dreams should automatically be awarded millions. Assuming people dream in B&W, all you're gonna see is his teeth coming at you.

I can just imagine that image, breath smelling like steroids, and a needle hanging out of his neck....

BUT...and think about this...the average NFL career, meaning everyone from the Clinton Portis' (I.e.) to the practice squad scrubs is not even 3 years.

The median salary (Speaking for guys such as Williams who would likely be a journeyman at best)?

Barely $400,000 for a TE.

He still got a raw deal, but unless he was some up and coming superstar, this really should shock no one.