Athletes entering the National Football League know of the dangers they are subjecting themselves to when they step on the field; however, a recent case involving a number of former players for the Atlanta Falcons is clouding the league’s workers compensation policy, reported the Fulton County Daily Report.
The NFL and the Falcons are suing a number of players who are currently collecting workers compensation benefits in California, although they were injured while based in Georgia, where workers compensation laws are different, said the newspaper.
According to the news source, this recently filed suit by the NFL is part the continuing dispute between the league and its former players over how they will be compensated once they exit the league. Although most businesses are not as high-profile or big-money as the NFL, the situation illustrates how thorny workers compensation questions can become, and how important it is to institute clear workers comp policies and remain up to date on changes to the law.
WorkCompCentral said the problem with people going to California for workers compensation has remained an issue for years, with former professional athletes only needing to participate in one play to be able to be considered eligible for workers compensation benefits in that state. This had led to a number of teams requiring their players to purchase workers compensation insurance in the state in which they play.
