Former Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell is seeking more than $300 million in damages after alleging a surgical procedure intended to relieve lingering hip pain nearly cost him his life and brought his NFL career to an end.
Bell filed a lawsuit in Philadelphia against Jefferson Health entities, surgeon William Meyers, radiologist Adam Zoga and other defendants.
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The complaint alleges that Bell was encouraged to undergo a core muscle procedure known as a “Meyers Repair,” which he says was presented as a relatively low-risk option for discomfort following an earlier hip injury.
According to the lawsuit, however, the operation resulted in a serious injury to Bell’s femoral artery. The complication allegedly required emergency vascular treatment to prevent potentially fatal consequences.
Bell’s legal team maintains that although the intervention saved his life, it ultimately left him unable to continue his professional football career.
Lawsuit raises serious questions about alleged medical misconduct
Bell’s complaint alleges that misleading pelvic MRI interpretations were used to justify surgeries that patients didn’t need.
It further accuses the defendants of participating in a financially motivated scheme involving questionable imaging and procedures, claiming financial interests were prioritized over patient safety.
The filing states that Bell became a candidate for the operation following a pelvic MRI conducted on May 19, 2025.
His attorneys say they spent a year investigating the circumstances, consulting surgeons and radiologists to examine the medical decisions and alleged complications surrounding his treatment.
Attorney Brad Sohn described the findings as “astonishing,” alleging that substantial financial interests were placed ahead of the medical principle of doing no harm.
Bell’s other attorney, Nathan Werksman, also argued that the circumstances surrounding the former receiver’s injury were unacceptable and, according to the legal team, preventable.
The allegations remain unproven, and the defendants will have an opportunity to respond through the legal process.
Jefferson Health has disputed aspects of the allegations. According to NBC10 Philadelphia, the health system said the surgeon involved wasn't a Jefferson employee and that the operation didn't take place at a Jefferson facility.
It also stated that Jefferson provided life-saving care to Bell and would defend its care and reputation.
Bell is seeking more than $300 million in damages, although the requested amount doesn't represent a guaranteed payout. The lawsuit's outcome will depend on the legal proceedings and the evidence presented by both sides.
Bell previously established himself as a promising receiver at Purdue before the Browns selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. During three seasons in Cleveland, he recorded 41 receptions for 408 yards and three touchdowns.
His final NFL appearance came in September 2024, when he suffered a season-ending hip injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars. That incident was separate from the subsequent surgical complication described in the lawsuit.
Bell announced his retirement in October 2025, citing an off-field injury beyond his control. Now, his legal action has placed the circumstances surrounding his departure from football under scrutiny.