Former D.C. United defender sues team, ex-coach over concussion

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A former D.C. United defender has filed a $12 million lawsuit against the team and former coach Thomas Soehn, saying they rushed him back onto the field after the concussion that ultimately ended his career.

Bryan Namoff alleges that he suffered permanent brain damage from a hit he sustained during a game in September 2009. He says team doctors did not evaluate him after the concussion or perform neurocognitive tests and that Soehn decided to play him in a game three days later. That turned out to be the last game of Namoff's career.

He says he has permanent headaches along with memory, sleep and vision problems.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in D.C. Superior Court. A D.C. United spokesman says the team has no comment on pending litigation.

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