Professional Athlete Injuries

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Calabasas Professional Athlete Injuries

Helping Athletes Protect Their Most Valuable Asset

Many workers would be surprised to realize that pro athletes are just as eligible for workers’ compensation as any other worker with an employer. Professional athletes are eligible for workers’ compensation in most states; however, the coverage may vary between providers. Most programs cover medical expenses and lost wages due to injuries sustained on the job. California provides professional athletes additional coverage for cumulative injuries, which is an important special circumstance. 

A survey of retired NFL players revealed that nearly 75% suffered from chronic aches and pains daily. These chronic injuries are a testament to the physical toll that professional sports can have on an athlete’s body. Professional athletes are highly susceptible to a wide range of injuries due to the intensity of their physical activities. During games, they can sustain sprains, strains, fractures, bursitis, ankle injuries, knee injuries, shoulder dislocations/separation, concussions, and heat strokes. Professional athletes are entitled to compensation under California’s Workers’ Compensation program if they experience workplace injuries. The compensation program helps athletes cover medical expenses and lost wages due to both short-term and repetitive injuries. Call (866) 400-4450 today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Calabasas professional athlete injury attorneys. 

Types of Injuries Experienced by Professional Athletes

Professional athletes must endure immense physical and mental strain in order to stay at the top of their game. But with such high levels of performance comes an increased risk for injuries as well. From minor sprains and strains to more serious long-term damage, professional athletes are prone to a wide range of potentially debilitating injuries. 

  • Sprains and Strains: These are caused by overstretching or tearing of ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
  • Fractures: Usually caused by falls or direct blows to the body.
  • Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa (the fluid-filled sac that cushions bones from muscle friction), which can cause pain in the joint area. 
  • Ankle Injury: Twisted ankles often occur due to poor balance when running/jumping on uneven surfaces. 
  • Knee Injuries: Tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are a common injury among professional athletes who participate in sports with sudden changes in direction, such as football, basketball, soccer, etc. 
  • Shoulder Dislocation/Separation: These types of injuries usually occur from contact sports like hockey or football, where players experience hard tackles and fall onto their shoulder joints. 
  • Concussion: When a player experiences a violent blow to the head, it may lead to concussion symptoms such as headache, dizziness, confusion, etc. 
  • Heat Stroke: Professional athletes must be aware of managing their internal temperature levels during physical activity; otherwise, they risk suffering heat stroke, which could be fatal. 
  • Stress Fractures: Repetitive strain on the muscles and bones can lead to small cracks in the bone, known as stress fractures which can occur in areas such as the lower back, feet, and ankles. 
  • Hamstring Injury: This is common among athletes who participate in activities such as sprinting, jumping, and kicking, which require sudden movements. This injury is often caused by overstretching the tendon or muscle in the back of the leg. 
  • Shin Splints: This is another common injury that can occur due to excessive running on hard surfaces or inadequate footwear. Shin splints cause pain along the inside of the shin bone and can lead to more serious damage if not treated properly. 
  • Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia (the band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot) and can be caused by running on hard surfaces or wearing inadequate shoes.

Contact Gaines & Gaines Today!

Workers’ compensation benefits may be available to most professional athletes. Even so, the claims of these players can be largely restricted by state regulatory rules and legislation. To best ensure workers’ compensation qualification, players should keep up with consistent documentation of their injuries or symptoms with medical staff and subscribe to reporting and filing deadlines when able.  Schedule a consultation with the team at Gaines & Gaines online right now to begin working on your case.

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