Football is a dangerous sport, however, the degree of risk is somewhat mitigated by the fact that disability payment plans exist for former players.
Athletes get hurt often, and the sport of football is no exception to this. Numerous players have seen their careers end following devastating injuries. Typically, in terms of general employment outside of athletics, individuals struck with a disability receive payments based on their average lifetime earnings.
Charles Dimry, who played in the NFL for 12 years, suffered a neck injury during his career, one that affected him permanently, according to Law360. He is still dealing with severe radicular symptoms and long-term degenerative complications. Despite Dimry’s belief that he qualifies for disability benefits, the league has not agreed thus far, resulting in a lawsuit. So, if allegedly permanent and debilitating neck pain does not make someone eligible for disability payment plans, what does?
4 Categories for Disability Payment Plans
There are four categories of total and permanent disability payment plans under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan:
Active non-football: These payments are doled out if an active player’s disability occurs outside of football, and is permanent. Income amounts to $165,000 per year.
Active football: Players fall within this category if their permanent disability directly stems from football activities. Annual income is $265,000.
Inactive A: This sort of benefit is for vested players whose injury is the result of football activities and turns into a permanent disability before 15 years after the individual’s final credited season. Yearly payment for this category is $135,000.
Inactive B: These payments are also for vested players whose injury stems from football activities and ends up as a permanent disability after the 15 year threshold from the individual’s final credited season. Annual income for this sort of benefit is $60,000.
Permanent disability means that the individual is not able to work any job at all. The reason Dimry has not received benefits is because the league claims he can work a desk job. If you want to learn more about the NFL’s retirement and disability payment plans, consult an experienced sports law attorney.
For more articles dealing with the NFL, check out:
The Problem with the NFL Concussion Settlement
An Alternate Route to the NFL – the Regional Scouting Combine
Self-Representation Could be a Setback in NFL Free Agency
A Whistleblower Just Filed a Complaint Against Your Company: Here's What to Do Now
Few situations create more uncertainty than learning that an employee has filed a whistleblower complaint. Questions arise immediately: Is the allegation legitimate? Should the employee be placed on leave? Do we need to notify our insurance carrier? Are we now prevented from disciplining the employee if there are unrelated ongoing work related issues? There is […]
Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors: An Alternative to Bankruptcy for Distressed Businesses
When a business reaches the point where it can no longer service its debts or otherwise resolve its liabilities, management is often faced with a difficult question: is a bankruptcy filing necessary or is there another way to perform an orderly liquidation or sale of the business assets? While Chapters 7 and 11 of the […]
Breaking Down New Jersey’s “Mansion” Tax: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
For many years, the New Jersey Mansion Tax has been a significant consideration in high-value real estate transactions. Recent legislative changes, however, have substantially altered how the tax operates, including who is responsible for paying it and the amount owed in certain transactions. Whether you are purchasing, selling, or investing in New Jersey real estate, […]
Estate Planning for Digital Assets Under New Jersey Law
As our personal and financial lives increasingly move online, estate planning must evolve to address a new category of property: digital assets. From email accounts and social media profiles to cryptocurrency and cloud-stored business records, these assets often carry both financial and sentimental value. Yet, without proper planning, they can become inaccessible—or even lost—upon incapacity […]
The Role of Representation and Warranty Insurance in M&A Transactions
In today’s mergers and acquisitions market, representation and warranty (R&W) insurance has become a common feature of deal negotiations. Once used primarily in larger transactions, R&W insurance is now frequently incorporated into middle-market deals as buyers and sellers look for efficient ways to allocate risk and close deals. When structured properly, R&W insurance can help […]
You Just Received a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena in New Jersey: Now What?
Receiving a federal grand jury subpoena is not something most businesses or individuals anticipate. While it can be concerning, a federal grand jury subpoena does not necessarily mean that you are being accused of wrongdoing. It does, however, mean that a federal criminal investigation is underway and that federal prosecutors believe you may possess information […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
