Pro Athletes Book For Workers’ Compensation
The Pros Get Workers Comp in DC if They’re Hurt on the Job
When thinking about injuries that happen at work, how many of us think about professional athletes? Even though we watch sports on TV all the time and Lawyers for Pro Athletes on Workers Comp in DC see the injuries, many people don’t really think pro sports is considered a job. Or professionals playing in DC in the NBA, NHL, MLB, WNBA, MLS, or XFL are making too much money to get workers’ compensation benefits when they get hurt. But professional athletes in hockey, basketball, baseball, soccer, and other sports train and practice hard and play physically demanding games for our entertainment. Much like any other job, their pay is based on experience, performance, the ability to do the job, and winning.
Many pro athletes suffer from injuries during the course of a season and most continue to play, even when doctors advise against it. Take football for example. Many players may suffer from one to two concussions per season (sometimes more than that). While many injuries are common, serious head and spinal cord injuries are finally getting more attention from teams, leagues, and fans. Most athletes feel like they have to keep playing and say they are feeling fine even if they aren’t for the sake of the game. But we know now that repeated blows to the head can lead to bigger problems down the road like dementia and other forms of brain damage.
Can Professional Athletes File for Workers Compensation?
If athletes get hurt and can no longer do their job, what can they do about it? Pro athletes are entitled to protections under the law, just like anyone else, any person at a ‘regular’ job – they can file for workers’ compensation and get the information they need to protect their health, career, and family.
People don’t realize how difficult it is to play a sport professionally, how physically demanding it is, how high the risk of injury, and how short the career can be, and those careers are often cut short due to injuries in games and practice.
A torn rotator cuff can end a pitcher’s career, a torn meniscus can end a point guard’s playing days, a concussion can end a defenseman’s career in hockey, and even if injuries don’t end an athlete’s career, they are often left with permanent pain, disfigurement, and medical expenses long after they finish playing.
If you have been hurt on the job and have questions, call us and see if we can help, or at least let you know what your options are – plus give you (or your agent) great information to help you make an informed decision. We help pro athletes, union workers, construction workers, maids, stagehands, nurses, and lots of other people with workers’ compensation cases in DC.
If You Are a Pro Athlete and Have a Serious Sports Injury, Download Our Free Book Today
For more information on workers comp for professional athletes in DC, get your free copy of The Pro Athlete’s Guide to DC Workers’ Compensation. Call us today at 202-393-3320. It’s free, no obligation, and of course, confidential.
