MARYCLAIRE DALE, Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A lead players’ lawyer pushing the estimated $1 billion settlement of NFL concussion claims says the league will pursue “scorched-earth litigation” if the case isn’t settled.

Players’ lawyer Christopher Seeger’s arguments opened a daylong “fairness hearing” on the settlement in federal court in Philadelphia.

The deal would settle thousands of lawsuits that accuse the NFL of long hiding what it knew about concussion risks.

The NFL expects about 6,000 former players to develop Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in the coming decades. They would get an average $190,000.

Some critics say that’s not enough to cover their needs. Others complain that there are no awards for depression, mood swings, dizziness and other problems they blame on concussions.

Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody is not expected to rule immediately on whether to accept the deal.