NFL Disability Claims

The National Football League is well known for denying the valid disability claims of its players. After submitting a claim for disability benefits to the NFL, which is self-insured and administrates all NFL claims, the player is often sent to numerous “neutral” medical examinations by physicians of the NFL’s choosing. Not surprisingly, these doctors overwhelmingly find that the player is not disabled under the terms of the NFL’s Disability Plan and the claim is denied.

Further complicating the disability process is that NFL claims, like many long term disability claims, fall under theERISA statute and are therefore subject to the limitations imposed by that statute. For example, the player must submit a comprehensive appeal within 180 days of the denial letter and the evidence submitted with that Appeal Letter will basically serve as his evidence at trial should the NFL issue a final denial after reviewing the Appeal.

Despite increasing information and proof that the head and body injuries sustained by football players are debilitating and leave them in chronic pain, functionally impaired and often with cognitive issues, the NFL fights tooth and nail to avoid paying these claims.

Disability Insurance Law Group has handled NFL claims and hundreds of ERISA claims. We are familiar with the tactics used by disability carriers to unfairly deny claims and have successfully overturned hundreds of denials and obtained millions of dollars in recovery for our clients. If you are having problems getting the disability benefits you deserve and to which you are entitled under your disability policy feel free to contact us at 954-989-9000 or through our website www.dilawgroup.com for a free consultation.

The medical clinic also claims that the instructions to the insurer resulted in fewer players coming in for treatment. This has led to financial losses and increases in the costs of operations and financing, according to the suit, which goes on to say that the league does not want treatment to be provided by independent providers.

In this case, it may be that the insurer is operating under instruction by the insured, but insurance companies often have incentive to deny valid claims. When that happens to people in Florida, an attorney might be able to help. An attorney who has experience pursuing denied group disability insurance claims may examine the facts of the situation and draft legal documents to secure payment. An attorney might be able to negotiate settlement or bring a lawsuit for the client in civil court.

Source: Deadspin, “Lawsuit Alleges NFL Directed Insurance Carrier To Deny Disability Claims,” Dom Cosentino, 05/03/2019