NHL player hurt on the job dies, family sues

One lawsuit regarding a workplace injury can lead to hundreds more. For example, when players suffering from head injuries brought action against the N.F.L., it began with just a handful of players raising their voice and that number has increased to 2,200. Workers have a right to bring attention to their injury, whether they are hurt on the job as an office employee, football player or even a hockey player.

The NHL players union is currently facing a lawsuit filed by the family of a deceased hockey player that started with workplace injury. North Carolina residents should take note of such actions and be aware that compensation is often available to workers who are injured on the job.

The death of Derek Boogaard, one of the highest paid enforcers in hockey, occurred in 2011 while he was in the league’s substance abuse program. Though the lawsuit revolves around different legal matters, his representatives may put the spotlight on workplace injuries by trying to show that he suffered brain damage due to his fighter role on his team. They may also claim the league and the union were both aware that this was a risk fighters faced.

The deceased hockey player’s parents allowed researchers to study his brain after his death. The researchers determined repeated head injuries caused a degenerative disease. Brain injuries can have severe consequences, and some workers’ compensation settlements do not cover the level of care that is appropriate, particularly when the injured worker is unable to return to work following the injury.

Every job carries with it some risks, though some may be more dangerous than others. North Carolina residents sustaining an injury on the job may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. A workplace accident victim who files a workers’ compensation claim may be able to receive compensation for lost wages and medical expenses, but also raise awareness about an unsafe workplace.

Source: The New York Times, “Boogaard Lawsuit May Shake Up Hockey,” Jeff Z. Klein, Sept. 26, 2012