David Bell sues Dr. William Meyers and others for $300M after botched hip surgery

Former Cleveland Browns wide receiver David Bell has filed a lawsuit seeking more than $300 million in damages from surgeon Dr. William Meyers, Jefferson Health, and 14 other parties. The complaint, filed in Philadelphia, alleges that an unnecessary sports hernia repair nearly killed Bell and ended his NFL career at age 24.

The dispute traces back to Week 2 of the 2024 season, when Bell sustained a hip injury. According to the lawsuit, medical providers used misleading scan results to convince him that he required core muscle surgery, a procedure commonly known as a sports hernia repair. Bell claims he did not actually need the operation, which was part of a profit-driven pattern of pushing professional athletes into unneeded procedures.

The surgical procedure resulted in severe complications. The suit alleges that Dr. Meyers cut Bell's femoral artery, the main vessel supplying blood to the leg, causing massive internal bleeding. The clinic where the surgery took place was not equipped to manage such an emergency, prompting an ambulance transfer to Thomas Jefferson Hospital. Doctors there performed urgent surgery to repair the artery and save his leg, but the incident left Bell with lasting physical damage.

Before the injury, Bell had established himself as a reliable target in the Browns' offense. The team drafted the former Big Ten Receiver of the Year out of Purdue University in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Over three seasons, Bell appeared in 32 games, finishing his professional career with 41 catches for 408 yards and three touchdowns. His rookie season was highlighted by 214 receiving yards.

The combination of the original hip injury and the subsequent surgical complications prevented Bell from returning to play. In 2025, Cleveland placed him on the reserve/retired list. The lawsuit seeks compensation for lost future NFL contracts, pain, and other damages intended to hold the medical group accountable.

The Cleveland Browns are not named as defendants in the suit. As of the filing, the doctors and other parties have not yet submitted a formal response to the court.