Special Master Decisions

Click on the 'Court' button to view governing decisions issued by the Court and the 'Special Master' button to view governing Special Master decisions. The material on each page is grouped by subject matter. Use the buttons on each page to view decisions under the subject matter you are interested in.
Rule 27 Decision: SPID 100006836
October 23, 2024
On Remand, the Special Masters issued a new Audit Rule 27 Decision regarding SPID 100006836, whose claim is implicated in the Byron Cuthbert and Associates, LLC Audit Proceeding.  The Decision upholds the denial of the Settlement Class Member’s claim because it is based on documentation determined to be unreliable, as discussed in the Special Masters’ Rule 27 Decision regarding Byron Cuthbert and Associates, LLC.
Byron Cuthbert and Associates, LLC
June 28, 2023
On June 28, 2023, pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules Governing the Audit of Claims, the Special Masters issued a Decision on the Audit Proceeding regarding Byron Cuthbert and Associates, LLC.  This Decision is redacted to conceal the identities of certain parties. The Decision directs the Claims Administrator to suspend processing of Monetary Award claims submitted by Settlement Class Members both currently and formerly represented by Mr. Cuthbert, and to deny certain claims that exhibit issues central to the Audit, including those that rely on PET scans from Dr. Daryl Eber of 3T Radiology & Research. The Decision also directs the Claims Administrator, after certification to the Special Masters, to resume processing of claims that are entirely free of the issues discussed in the Audit.
Drs. Koberda, Hopper, Ford-Johnson, Lloyd, Morgan, and Sadek
September 14, 2021

Addresses the medical professionals related to the Audit Proceeding regarding Howard & Associates, P.A. and Related Parties. Disqualifies Drs. Laura Hopper, Lawanda Ford-Johnson, Christine Lloyd, Elizabeth Morgan, and Ahmed Sadek from participating in the Program and directs the referral of Drs. Hopper and Ford-Johnson to their respective professional boards.

Howard & Associates and Related Parties
June 22, 2021
On June 22, 2021, pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules Governing the Audit of Claims, the Special Masters issued a Decision on the Audit Proceeding regarding Howard & Associates, P.A. and Related Parties. We are making the Special Masters’ Rule 27 Decision, the Rule 15 Adverse Audit Report, and specific exhibits to that Audit Report publicly available. We redacted these materials to conceal the identities of certain parties. Pursuant to the Order Regarding Retention, Exchange, and Confidentiality of Claims Information in NFL Concussion Settlement Program, we redacted the names of all Settlement Class Members as “SCM 1,” “SCM 2,” etc. Pursuant to the Special Masters’ Rule 27 Decision regarding Howard & Associates, P.A. and Related Parties, we redacted the names of health care providers that are named as subjects of the Audit proceeding as “Provider 1,” “Provider 2,” etc. We also redacted the names of employees of Howard & Associates as “Worker 1,” “Worker 2,” etc. Finally, we redacted the names of other health care providers or third parties who are not named as subjects of the Audit proceeding; we did not provide specific contextual identifiers for these redactions. The 21 exhibits we are sharing publicly are examples of those that provide insight into the process Howard & Associates employed that resulted in its disqualification from the Settlement Program.
Morariu
October 28, 2019
Disqualifies Dr. Mircea Morariu, Sr. from participating in the Program and explains the disposition of claims relying on his diagnoses
Legacy Pro Sports
October 4, 2019
Directs the Claims Administrator to place claims from clients of Legacy Pro Sports, LLC, in Audit as a matter of course
Pollock
March 12, 2019
Finds no misrepresentation, omission, or concealment of material fact in claims relying on neuropsychological testing performed by Dr. Larry Pollock
Fuerst
March 12, 2019
Disqualifies neuropsychologist, Dr. Darren Fuerst, from participating in the Program and explains the disposition of claims relying on his evaluations
Martinez Doctors
October 25, 2018
Rescinds all Award and Denial Notices issued for claims based on Qualifying Diagnoses by Dr. Robert Martinez or Robert C. Martinez and directs that such claims be reviewed by a single AAP member, with consultation from a single AAP Consultant
Andrews
October 25, 2018
Disqualifies Dr. Ena Andrews from participating in the Program and explains the disposition of claims relying on her diagnoses
Template Doctors
September 11, 2018
Directs that claims involving seven neuropsychologists who used a common medical record template be reviewed by a single AAP member, with consultation from a single AAP Consultant
Dolan-Henderson
August 29, 2018
Disqualifies neuropsychologist, Dr. August Dolan-Henderson, from participating in the Program and explains the disposition of claims relying on his evaluations
Hoover
November 30, 2017
Disqualifies neuropsychologist, Dr. Serina Hoover, from participating in the Program and explains the disposition of claims relying on her evaluations