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| | Sunday, March 26 | |||||
| PHILADELPHIA -- Eric Lindros' father said Sunday his son
will not sue the Philadelphia Flyers for their failure to
immediately diagnose a serious concussion.
Lindros' relationship with the Flyers worsened last week when he
criticized the team's medical staff for not recognizing his
symptoms and allowing him to play four games after he was injured
on March 4.
"We just want to let the whole thing die," said Carl Lindros,
who also is his son's agent. "Our biggest concern is Eric getting
better and getting back. Eric is feeling better."
James Kelly, a neurologist at Northwestern University
Medical Center in Chicago, diagnosed Lindros with a Grade II
concussion Tuesday after the team captain was originally believed
to have had a Grade I concussion, the least-severe category.
Kelly said the Flyers star would have immediately been diagnosed
with a Grade II concussion, which can cause memory loss and require
a longer recovery time, had the team's medical staff followed the
American Academy of Neurology guidelines.
"Eric's concussion should have been identified as a Grade II
concussion at the time, based on his being stunned by the blow, the
visual disturbance he described, and the onset of nausea and
vomiting with headache, within minutes of the injury," Kelly said
in a fax sent to Carl Lindros on Friday and distributed to
reporters this weekend.
Flyers general manager Bob Clarke, who has stood by the team's
medical staff, said Sunday he has not seen the fax. Clarke would
not comment on the situation other than to say the team would not
name an interim captain.
Lindros will miss the rest of the regular season and at least
the first round of the playoffs.
Clarke also said Sunday the team "absolutely" will make a
qualifying offer to Lindros, who is in the final year of a
one-year, $8.5 million contract. The qualifying offer would prevent
Lindros from becoming an unrestricted free agent, meaning the
Flyers would receive five first-round picks if he signs elsewhere.
Clarke said he's eager to see Lindros return to the ice
"because he can help our club," not to increase his trade value.
| ALSO SEE Lindros upset over Flyers' handling of his concussion Doctors warn Lindros about further brain injury  Morganti: Lindros done in Philly?Parent: Staying in Philly hazardous to Lindros' health Lindros to miss 4-6 weeks with more serious concussion AUDIO/VIDEO   Eric Lindros says he's disappointed.wav: 291 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Dr. Stephen Silberstein comments on Lindros' ailment.wav: 213 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6  | |||||