Workers’-comp bill targets Arizona pro teams
By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services/Arizona Business Gazette
Arizona is on the verge of shutting the door on the ability of players for Arizona’s professional sports teams to file workers’ compensation claims elsewhere, even if that’s where they were injured.
A measure making its way through the Legislature would require any claim for medical care or lost wages by those employed by Arizona-based companies to be filed in Arizona. More to the point, the claims would be governed by Arizona laws which have less-generous benefits — and more stringent standards of proof — than many other states, particularly California.
But the real driving force appears to be the two major sports teams trying to limit their liability. And it would have a big impact on retired baseball players claiming degenerative injuries from their time on the field and football players seeking compensation for all the tackles and sacks they sustained over their careers.
Sen. John McComish, R-Phoenix, said SB 1148, which already has been approved by the Senate, was brought to him by the state’s sports teams.
If you’d like to discuss employment or health care law, contact David Weissman, director of the Rose Law Group Employment Law and Managed Health Care Law Practice, dweissman@roselawgroup.com
