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Mr. Lloyd died in September 2006 following practice with the Rice football team. Medical examiners ruled that Mr. Lloyd died as a result of "acute excertional rhabdomyolysis secondary to sickle cell trait." Neither Mr. Lloyd nor his family were aware that Mr. Lloyd carried the sickle cell trait, and the NCAA did not require testing for the trait in 2006 despite numerous reports of other athlete deaths attributed to the sickle cell trait.

As a result of the litigation and settlement, the NCAA has agreed for the first time to include in the NCAA Website and the NCAA Sports Medical Handbook a recommendation that university athletic departments test all athletes for the sickle cell trait. The Lloyd family has sought the implementation of this measure to protect other student athletes since their son passed away. The sickle cell trait appears in approximately 8-9% of the African-American population, and is found less commonly in all races.

"This settlement is the first step in preventing tragic deaths like Dale's from ever happening again," says Mr. Lanier. "The Lloyd family is pleased that the NCAA stepped up and settled this matter in a way that honors their son's memory and also funds research that will save lives."

The NCAA also agreed to insert a "Point of Emphasis" regarding sickle cell testing in its Football Rulebook in conjunction with a press conference scheduled for August. In addition, the NCAA will produce an educational video for coaches, athletic trainers and student athletes about the dangers of the sickle cell trait, and provide a $50,000 donation to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America and a $10,000 donation to the Dale R. Lloyd II Scholarship Fund. Mr. Lanier also will be contributing $20,000 to the scholarship fund in recognition of the Lloyd family.

"From the beginning of this case, our goal was to have the NCAA recommend and implement a testing program to prevent further deaths related to the sickle cell trait," says Mr. Egdorf. "Many respected medical professionals and sickle cell support groups have tried to get this policy adopted for years, and I am honored to be involved on behalf of the Lloyd family in accomplishing something that will make a difference in the lives of student athletes across the nation."

Donations to the Dale R. Lloyd II Scholarship Fund can be made through the fund's Web site at: http://www.dalerlloyd2scholarshipfund.org/.

With offices in Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Houston and New York, The Lanier Law Firm is committed to addressing client concerns with effective and innovative solutions in courtrooms across the country. The firm is composed of outstanding trial attorneys with decades of experience handling cases involving sports law, pharmaceutical liability, asbestos exposure, intellectual property, business litigation, product liability, toxic exposure and maritime law.

For more information on the lawsuit and settlement, please contact Bruce Vincent at 800.559.4534 orbruce@legalpr.com.

SOURCE The Lanier Law Firm

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