What will it cost to file my claim?

Nothing! There is no upfront cost to file a workers’ compensation claim. These cases are handled on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay any legal fees unless there is a recovery. In California, attorney fees are typically set at 15% of the awarded amount. While nearly every athlete has a valid claim, there is no guarantee of success or of any specific recovery amount. However, it is not unusual to settlements ranging from $10,000 - $200,000, though results vary depending on the facts of each case.

what is workers compensation?

California’s workers’ compensation system provides medical and financial benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries—and athletes are no exception. Sports teams meet this obligation by carrying workers’ compensation insurance for their athletes. When a claim is filed, it is typically brought against the team’s insurance carrier, not the team itself, unless the team is one of the few that is legally self-insured.

California workers’ compensation covers cumulative trauma and specific injuries. Cumulative trauma is the gradual wear and tear on the body caused by repetitive physical activity over time, while a specific injury is a single, identifiable incident like a torn ACL or broken bone. For either type, you may be entitled to lifetime medical care, tax-free cash benefits, reimbursement for medical treatment, and compensation for lost earning capacity.

Almost ALL athletes have suffered cumulative trauma.

i feel “ok”. I’m working a new job. I’m not sure if i qualify for this. is filing a claim fraudulent or shady?

Fraud typically looks like this - Person A worked at Wendy’s for two months, got fired, and falsely claims he is 100% disabled. He wants to sit at home, not work, and collect benefits.

You are not Person A.

In your situation — in fact, it would be irresponsible not to explore your rights. Many former athletes feel hesitant about filing a claim because they don’t understand the system (and they don’t want to be like Person A). We understand.

The truth is, if you spent years competing, you likely suffered various specific injuries and suffered cumulative trauma to your body — even if you don’t feel it yet. Hip replacements, spinal issues, and chronic joint damage are common in former athletes and often surface many years after retirement. Workers’ compensation exists to cover exactly this kind of long-term wear and tear. Filing a claim isn’t gaming the system — it’s using it for what it was built for: protecting workers, including athletes, from the physical toll of their careers.

As long as you are truthful about your playing career, truthful about your injuries, and you don’t exaggerate your symptoms, there is nothing shady or dishonest about standing up for what you are legally entitled to.

You might feel “ok” now. But workers' compensation isn't just about how you feel today — it’s about protecting your future. Fast forward 20 or 30 years: you’re paying out-of-pocket for a hip replacement, shoulder surgery, or ongoing chiropractic and physical therapy. If you don’t file a claim, you’ll bear that cost alone.

This isn’t shady or opportunistic. It’s your legal right. And it’s how the system was designed to work — to protect workers like you.

What is my time commitment to this?

We’ve designed the process to be as simple and efficient as possible for you. Here’s what you can expect:

• Getting started: Once you submit your DocuSign form through our website, Athlete Law Group will evaluate it and file your claim(s) within 30 business days. After that, the insurance company has up to 90 days to respond. In most cases, they will schedule a deposition within 5–8 months of the claim being filed.

• Quick Resolution (5-8 months): About 75% of our cases settle within 5 to 8 months, often before or shortly after your deposition. Your involvement in these cases is minimal—typically limited to one hour of deposition preparation with Athlete Law Group and a 2-hour deposition.

• Moderate Involvement (8–12 months): Around 20% of cases require more involvement, including 1–2 doctor visits (potentially involving an MRI or X-ray) to fully assess your injuries and cumulative trauma. Your team’s insurance company pays for all medical evaluations and diagnostics. These cases usually resolve in 8 to 12 months.

• Extended Timeline (12–16 months): About 5% of cases are more complex and may involve 3–5 medical evaluations to fully assess your injuries and cumulative trauma. Your team’s insurance company pays for all medical evaluations and diagnostics. These cases may take 12 to 16 months to resolve.

We coordinate all logistics and guide you through every step. As long as you are truthful and cooperative, we’ll do the heavy lifting.

what if i am not living in california currently?

You can still file a California workers’ compensation claim—even if you no longer live in the state. What matters is whether you lived, worked, trained, verbally agreed to your contract, or had any employment connection to California during your athletic career. Many athletes trained in California during the offseason, verbally agreed to contracts while living here, or played for teams based in California. If any of those apply to you, you may be eligible to bring a claim under California law. We handle everything remotely and make the process easy, no matter where you live now.

How will this affect my current job and future job opportunities?

If you are working now, you will continue to do so. If you are looking for a new job, keep looking. If you get an offer, take the job. Filing a workers’ compensation claim does not mean you are incapable of working.

Almost all our clients have started new careers after playing and continue working throughout this process. This isn’t a disability claim; it’s about holding your former team accountable for the injuries you sustained while playing.

Bringing a workers’ compensation claim will not affect your current or future employment. These claims are handled through your former team’s insurance company — not your current employer.

Furthermore, California Labor Code Section 132a prohibits employers from discriminating against workers based on prior workers' compensation claims. While background checks are legal, they cannot be used to withdraw a job offer based on information about workers' compensation claims.

Will my coaches or team find out if I file a claim?

This is a common concern, but the truth is your claim is handled through the team’s workers’ compensation insurance — not the coaches or individual staff. This is a legal and confidential process. You likely have many former teammates, coaches, trainers, and staff members that have filed claims themselves for injuries sustained during their careers. Unless you tell someone, your former teammates, coaches, and other individual staff members will not know that you have filed a claim.

AM I ENTITLED TO A CASH AWARD?

Athletes may be entitled to compensation for both specific injuries—such as a torn ligament or fracture—and cumulative trauma injuries, which develop gradually over a career due to repetitive physical stress. The amount of benefits awarded depends on several factors, including the extent of the athlete’s disability and the era in which they played. For athletes who retired between 1994 and the present, it’s not uncommon to see tax-free settlements ranging from $10,000 to $200,000. Those who played in earlier decades may see lower amounts. These figures are general estimates and actual outcomes can vary significantly based on the specifics of each case.

WILL I QUALIFY FOR BENEFITS?

Any injured athlete has the right to file a claim. It’s common for athletes to leave their sport in worse physical condition than when they started. Many deal with ongoing joint pain, reduced mobility, and limitations in their ability to work. If any of these apply to you, you have the right to file a claim.

WHAT IF I HAVE BEEN RETIRED FOR A LONG TIME?

If an athlete was never informed of their right to workers’ compensation benefits by the team — or was otherwise unaware of those rights — they can still file a claim in California. This exception is unique to California and is not commonly available in other states.