Former sports stars "are tapping into California's workers'
compensation system, which has a reputation among pro athletes as
one of the most generous in the nation," according to Cantlupe &
Hasemyer of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Athletes include Joe
Montana, Dan Fouts and Bo Jackson and the "state system as drawn
athletes from around the country seeking the tax-free, lump-sum
benefits, sometimes years after retiring." Nearly 200 former
Chargers and Padres have filed for workers' compensation since
'90 and those who played in the '90's and filed for compensation
received an average $50,000 to $70,000 in benefits. In many
states, there are "tough restrictions on how former professional
athletes can collect workers' compensation." Despite criticism
from some that the practice allows athletes to "double dip" in
collecting both their salary and workers' compensation, attorney
Ron Mix claims the athletes are "workers just like everybody
else. I can't imagine they should care what the public thinks
because they have an absolute right to it." Former 49ers QB Joe
Montana filed claims in Santa Ana for assorted football injuries,
but his attorney would not reveal how much Montana is seeking.
Many athletes are "waiting years after they retire" to file
claims, and when they do, it's often in California. Even "if
they played for only a brief time" in the state, athletes
"routinely cite injuries they accumulated over the course of
their playing careers." Mix said "it would be foolhardy not to
take advantage" of the benefit. Former Padres pitcher Rollie
Fingers, who won a claim: "Anytime you get money, you use it"
(SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/14).
