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If you were hurt as a professional athlete, you do not have to figure out this complicated situation on your own. Instead, a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you apply for the benefits you need, explain the application process, meet all notification and filing deadlines, and establish your qualifying residency.
What Are the Residency and Qualification Requirements of Professional Athletes?
When it comes to injured professional athletes and workers’ comp, residency is an important factor. A lawyer can help you prove you meet the following residency requirements:
- You were a resident of the state at the time your injury occurred.
- Your injury was a result of your work as a professional athlete.
- Your application for workers’ comp was filed in the appropriate state.
Every workers’ compensation case—especially complex cases like these—is different. In that case, you might want to navigate the process with the legal guidance and support of a workers’ compensation lawyer.
What Medical Benefits Can a Professional Athlete Receive?
Workers’ compensation covers any and all medical care required to treat your workplace injuries. As a professional athlete, you may require specialized sports-related medicine and rehabilitation for your injuries. These, too, should be covered, as well as:
- Hospital stays
- Pain medications
- Imaging scans and diagnostic assessments
- Multiple therapies
- Surgical procedures
Any assistive medical devices your care requires are also taken care of, including canes, crutches, wheelchairs, and more. Your workers’ comp attorney will track your medical care and consult specialists who can attest to your injury and the validity of your care.
What Wage Loss Benefits Can a Professional Athlete Receive?
In general, you receive two-thirds of your average weekly salary when you file workers’ compensation. How long you receive benefits and the exact amount you receive will vary based on how your injury is categorized. Injury classifications are typically:
- Temporary partial disability: For athletes who are temporarily injured but can do some work now and are expected to be able to return to work in the future
- Temporary total disability: For athletes whose injuries are expected to temporarily prevent them from doing any work at all
- Permanent partial disability: For athletes who have an injury that will impede any work at all for the foreseeable future
- Permanent total disability: For athletes who are not expected to be able to return to work at all
Your lawyer will compile medical evidence and ensure your injuries are accurately depicted in your medical records and in your application. Otherwise, you could receive less compensation than you are entitled to seek and for a shorter period of time.
What Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Do to Help With Your Case?
A workers’ comp lawyer can manage every aspect of your case and bring familiarity with the complex process to the table. Your lawyer might also bring a team of associates and resources to assist with your case. From there, your attorney can take on the following tasks:
- Handle the application process from start to finish
- Compile and present medical evidence that supports your case
- Consult relevant medical and sports injury experts
- File an effective appeal if your application is denied
- Deal with all communication with others involved
- Advocate for you throughout all legal proceedings
Workers’ comp abuse by pro athletes is a serious allegation and can result in a loss of medical and wage loss benefits. If a lawyer represents you, they will fight any such allegations and present objective medical evidence that disproves them.
How Much Does It Cost to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
It costs nothing to file a claim for benefits. In most cases, it will cost nothing to hire a lawyer to represent you. Many will do so at no upfront or out-of-pocket costs to you.
No one should forego legal service and support when they need it most. Worker’s comp law firms will usually cover all of the upfront costs of building your case and will only receive compensation after recovering it for you.
Reach Out to KJT Law Group for Help With Workers’ Comp for Pro Athletes
If you or a loved one is a professional athlete who was injured at work, you may not know where to turn. However, you are entitled to workers’ compensation based on the regulations of your state of residence.
Explore your right to worker’s compensation benefits by contacting our consultation team at KJT Law Group for a free review of your case. We also take workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee basis. Dial (818) 507-8525 today.
