The workers' compensation system has a reputation for relatively lower payouts compared to settlements received in personal injury cases. There’s also a common misconception that workers’ compensation claims usually involve soft-tissue claims or minor slip and falls at work. However, some professional athletes have found success in navigating the system and have been able to receive workers’ compensation for injuries suffered on the field. Here are a few examples of athletes that have been able to earn huge settlements by filing a workers’ comp claim.

1. Jeff Smith: Awarded $203,500

Jeff Smith is a former offensive lineman in the National Football League. Before his professional career he attended the University of Tennessee where he started 48 consecutive games protecting future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. After his college career, Jeff went on to play a total of 7 seasons in the NFL. Jeff felt the effects of his playing days well after his career was over. At age 36, he had a broken bone in his back, degenerative conditions in his hips, shoulders, and ankles as well as short-term memory loss. Jeff had no choice but to apply for workers’ compensation and was awarded $203,500 for his injuries.

2. Michael Irvin: Awarded $249,000

Michael Irvin is a former wide receiver in the National Football League. Before his hallowed career with the Dallas Cowboys he was a star at the University of Miami. In his professional career he accumulated a vast number of accolades as well as an induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Despite the success of his football career, he was still unable to escape the effects that it had on his body. After filing a workers’ comp claim, Michael Irvin was awarded $249,000 in 2013 for cumulative injuries occurred throughout his time in the NFL.

3. Clyde Simmons: Awarded $220,000

Clyde Simmons is a former defensive end in the National Football League. He attended college at Western Carolina University where he played in a Division 1-AA National Championship game. During his tenure in the NFL he played for 5 different teams and was elected to 4 Pro Bowls. However his body could not hold up under the strenuous circumstances of starting in more than 180 games over 14 seasons. In 2008 Clyde was awarded $220,000 for injuries sustained throughout his playing days as a professional athlete.

4. Ernie Conwell: Awarded $181,000

Ernie Conwell is a former tight end in the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft after his college career at the University of Washington. Ernie went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL and even won Super Bowl XXXIV with the Rams in 1999. Over the course of his career he underwent 18 surgeries and 11 knee operations. Riddled by lingering injuries and pain after his playing days were over, he had no choice but to file a workers' comp claim. He received $181,000 in benefits for the injuries that he sustained over his 11-year career.

What Can Your Firm Learn?

Although workers’ comp claims are generally regarded as having lower payouts than personal injury cases, these examples show that it is not unrealistic to expect a 6-figure settlement from a workers’ comp case. With any lead generation service, it is important to keep in mind that the best way to evaluate the potential claim is to get the lead on the phone. Therefore, you should always be sure to call every lead because you never know which one could be your golden ticket.

If you’d like to learn more about increasing your workers' compensation caseload give us a call today at 617.800.0089. We’d be happy to discuss eGeneration’s workers’ compensation lead availability with your firm today!

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/sports/football/08lawyers.html?mcubz=3 http://www.chicagolawbulletin.com/Archives/2017/01/25/IL-athlete-benefits-1-25-17.aspx http://articles.latimes.com/2013/sep/25/business/la-fi-mo-workers-comp-professional-athletes-20130924 https://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=20153 https://calcoastnews.com/2013/02/california-awarding-athletes-millions-in-workers-comp/ http://www.utsports.com/news/2011/11/4/Catching_Up_Jeff_Smith.aspx