Former Alabama football player Cole Harvey on Tuesday filed lawsuit over brain injuries suffered while part of the Crimson Tide program.

The University of Alabama has governmental immunity, so the suit names the NCAA and SEC because it "failed to adopt or implement adequate concussion management safety protocols or return to play guidelines," reads the suit filed in federal court.

Harvey, an offensive linemen/tight end never saw the field after grayshirting in 2005 and redshirting in 2006. He was not on the roster to begin spring practice 2007, the first year of Nick Saban's tenure.

He is believed to be the second former Alabama player to file a similar suit over their time with the Tide as the effects of football on players' brain health continues as medical studies advance. Running back Ray Hudson (2001-04) sued the NCAA in 2014 as one of 60 plaintiffs making similar claims about concussion treatment. Big names like Lee Roy Jordan, John Hannah, Tim Castille, Kevin Turner and Kerry Goode have all been plaintiffs in class-action suits against the NFL.

The suit claims Harvey suffered between 10-15 concussions in his time at Alabama. He now suffers from seizures, migraines, extreme light sensitivity and "other debilitating issues," according to the suit filed in U.S. District Court. It goes on to state he would be "quickly returned to the field of play" after suffering concussive or sub-concussive hits.

Harvey's suit is part of the fifth wave of actions taken by former college players and the Edelson PC law firm based in Chicago. There have been 43 suits filed since May, including one by former Auburn linebacker Joseph Miller. The NCAA and SEC were listed as defendants in that case as well. State schools like Alabama and Auburn cannot be sued because they have governmental immunity, but private schools such as Vanderbilt and Notre Dame can be sued directly.

The SEC declined to comment on the pending litigation.

Chris Dore, a partner at Edelson PC, told AL.com they've spoken to hundreds of former players who could eventually be involved in class-action suits. The cases involve athletes who played before 2010, when the NCAA first required its member schools to have a concussion management plan.

"Look at how fast things changed when the NCAA required that protocol to go into place," Dore said by phone. "Every school changed its policy, practically overnight."

The suit claims the SEC and NCAA knew about the long-term effects of concussions and sub-concussions "but actively concealed this information to protect the very profitable business of 'amateur' college football."

Dore said the NCAA and SEC had the ability to make the game safer "decades ago." He said they believe both the NCAA and conferences had information that could have made the game safer for athletes like Harvey.

Instead, the suits claims "Alabama coaches demanded that Alabama football players, including Plaintiff, forego their own self-interest and continue playing despite sustaining head injuries for the purpose of advancing the Alabama football program by winning games, obtaining fame and favorable publicity, and gaining millions of dollars in revenue for Alabama, SEC, and the NCAA."

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey brought in NCAA chief medical examiner Brian Hainline to speak with coaches about concussion protocols at this year's league spring meetings in Destin.

"I'm not a scientist," Sankey said in June. "Part of what has been challenging in developing structure is which science is applied, what data is available. ... Despite the absence of national guidelines, it's very clear there is care happening on each of our campuses."

Harvey's suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages including past, present and future medical expenses, lost time and lost future earnings. It could take several years for a resolution if the cases go to trial, Dore said.

"We think (the plaintiffs) have given a lot to their schools," Dore said. "The schools have made a lot of money through this program and we believe these players deserved to be compensated for the injuries that they suffered that we allege could have been avoided."