Stanford runner Jessica Tonn sues NCAA over concussions

A Stanford distance runner became the first active Division I-A athlete to sue the NCAA over concussions Wednesday.

In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Jessica Tonn accused the NCAA of inadequately educating coaches and athletes about concussions and not implementing return-to-play guidelines or procedures to detect head injuries.

Tonn is a three-time All-American who competes for Stanford’s track and field team and finished 16th at the NCAA cross country championships in 2013.

The lawsuit doesn’t detail the senior’s condition, other than she “suffered a head injury as a member of the track team” and “needs medical monitoring.”

Tonn is represented by Chicago-based Corboy & Demetrio. The firm also represents retired NFL players, including the estate of Chicago Bears great Dave Duerson, in the concussion litigation against the league.

Corboy and Demetrio, the NCAA and Stanford didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Several concussion lawsuits against the NCAA, including the first filed on behalf of former Eastern Illinois football player Adrian Arrington and three others in 2011, were consolidated in federal court in December. The Arrington plaintiffs and the NCAA started mediation in November, overseen by retired U.S. District Court Judge Layn Phillips. He brokered the proposed $765-million settlement in the NFL’s concussion litigation.

A handful of active athletes from non-Division I-A schools have also sued the NCAA over concussions.

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nathan.fenno@latimes.com

Twitter: @nathanfenno