NFL Injury Lawyer

At Bloom Injury Law in El Segundo, we understand the unique challenges faced by NFL players who have sustained injuries during their professional football careers. Located just minutes from SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, our firm has developed a deep understanding of the complex medical and legal issues surrounding professional football injuries.

Injured? Better Call Bloom!

If you've experienced an injury due to someone else's negligence, contact Bloom Injury Law today for a free consultation. Call (310) 525-5985 or contact us online.

When the roar of the crowd at SoFi Stadium fades and the bright lights dim, injured players often find themselves navigating a challenging path to recovery and compensation. As an NFL injury lawyer serving the greater Los Angeles area, we have helped numerous professional athletes secure the support and resources they need to move forward after career-altering injuries.

NFL Player Rights and Protections

As your NFL injury law firm understands the complex landscape of professional football player rights and protections. Our proximity to SoFi Stadium and deep involvement in the Los Angeles sports community has given us unique insights into the challenges faced by NFL players. Here's what every player should know about their rights and protections:

• League-Mandated Medical Care: NFL players are entitled to comprehensive medical treatment and rehabilitation services for injuries sustained during official team activities, including access to top-tier facilities like UCLA Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai.
• Second Medical Opinion Rights: As your football injury lawyer, we ensure you understand your right to seek independent medical evaluations from physicians of your choice, fully covered under the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Workers' Compensation Benefits: California offers some of the most comprehensive workers' compensation protections for professional athletes, covering both acute injuries and cumulative trauma.
• Concussion Protocol Compliance: Players have the right to proper assessment and treatment under the NFL's concussion protocol, with mandatory recovery periods and clearance requirements before returning to play.
• Injury Grievance Claims: NFL players maintain the right to file injury grievances when disputes arise about medical treatment, injury classification, or return-to-play decisions.
• Disability Benefits: Players can access various disability benefit programs through the NFL, including Total and Permanent Disability, Line-of-Duty Disability, and Neurocognitive Disability Benefits.
• Post-Career Medical Coverage: Eligible players receive continued medical coverage for football-related injuries even after retirement, including treatment at premier facilities across the South Bay area.
• Performance-Based Contract Protection: Players have specific rights regarding guaranteed money and injury protection written into their contracts, which can be enforced through legal action when necessary.
• Retirement Plan Benefits: The NFL provides various retirement benefits and pension plans, with additional provisions for players who retire due to injury.
• Appeals Process Rights: Players maintain the right to appeal medical decisions, benefit determinations, and other injury-related rulings through established NFL procedures.

At Bloom Injury Law, serving the greater Los Angeles area from our El Segundo office, we're committed to protecting these fundamental rights for NFL players. Understanding and enforcing these protections is crucial for securing your future both during and after your football career. Contact us to ensure your rights are fully protected under both NFL policies and California state law.

Financial Compensation You May Be Entitled To After an NFL Injury

At Bloom Injury Law in El Segundo, we understand that NFL injuries can have significant financial implications for players and their families. As your NFL injury lawyer serving the greater Los Angeles area, we work to secure various forms of compensation for our clients. Here are the key types of financial compensation you may be entitled to receive:

• Guaranteed Contract Payment: Players who sustain injuries while performing football-related activities typically retain the right to receive the guaranteed portion of their contracts, which we can help enforce through legal channels.
• Workers' Compensation Benefits: California's comprehensive workers' compensation system provides coverage for both specific injuries and cumulative trauma, offering weekly payments and medical treatment coverage at premier facilities like UCLA Medical Center.
• NFL Player Disability Benefits: As your football injury lawyer, we can help you access various disability programs, including Total and Permanent Disability benefits that can provide substantial monthly payments for career-ending injuries.
• Injury Protection Benefit: Players released due to injury may qualify for up to 50% of their base salary for the season following their injury, subject to specific contract terms and conditions.
• Line-of-Duty Disability: This benefit provides compensation for players who can demonstrate substantial disablement arising from NFL activities, with payment amounts based on credited seasons and injury severity.
• Neurocognitive Disability Benefits: Players experiencing cognitive impairment from football-related head injuries may qualify for specific benefits under the NFL's neurocognitive disability program.
• Health Insurance Coverage: Eligible players can receive continued health insurance coverage for football-related injuries, including treatment at South Bay medical facilities and rehabilitation centers.
• Settlement Program Benefits: Players affected by certain conditions may qualify for benefits under various NFL settlement programs, particularly those related to concussions and neurological conditions.
• Lost Wage Compensation: We work to recover compensation for wages lost due to injury, including potential future earnings impacted by career-limiting injuries.
• Pain and Suffering Damages: In certain cases, players may be entitled to compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life resulting from their injuries.

How an NFL Injury Lawyer Can Maximize Your Compensation

As your NFL injury lawyer, we employ a comprehensive approach to protect your interests and ensure you receive the full benefits you deserve. Here's how we work to maximize your compensation:

• Comprehensive Documentation: Our personal injury lawyer team works with leading medical facilities across Los Angeles, including UCLA Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai, to gather detailed documentation of your injuries, treatment plans, and long-term prognosis.
• Independent Medical Evaluations: As your football injury lawyer, we arrange thorough independent medical assessments to establish the full extent of your injuries and their impact on your career trajectory.
• Contract Analysis: We conduct detailed reviews of your NFL contract, identifying all applicable guarantees, injury provisions, and performance bonuses that may affect your compensation.
• Timeline Development: Our team creates comprehensive timelines of your injury, medical treatment, and team interactions, establishing clear causation and documenting any potential protocol violations.
• Benefits Coordination: We ensure you receive all available benefits by coordinating between NFL disability programs, workers' compensation, and private insurance coverage available in California.
• Evidence Preservation: Our proximity to local training facilities and game venues allows us to quickly gather and preserve crucial evidence, including practice footage and medical records.
• Strategic Negotiations: We leverage our understanding of NFL policies and California law to negotiate effectively with teams, the league, and insurance providers for maximum compensation.
• Appeals Management: When initial benefit determinations fall short, we navigate the complex appeals process, presenting compelling evidence to support increased compensation.
• Future Care Planning: We work with medical professionals throughout the South Bay area to project future medical needs and ensure your compensation covers long-term care requirements.
• Settlement Evaluation: Our team provides thorough analysis of settlement offers, ensuring you understand the full implications before making decisions about your financial future.

Common NFL Injuries That May Require Hiring an NFL Injury Lawyer

As your NFL injury lawyer serving the greater Los Angeles area, we've helped numerous players secure compensation for various types of injuries sustained on the field. Here are the common injuries that often require legal representation:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Concussions and repeated head trauma can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and other long-term neurological conditions that require ongoing treatment at facilities like UCLA Medical Center.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: From herniated discs to more severe trauma, these injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring extensive rehabilitation and lifetime care at specialized facilities throughout Southern California.
• Knee Ligament Damage: ACL, MCL, and PCL tears often require multiple surgeries and extended rehabilitation periods, potentially ending careers or significantly impacting future performance capabilities.
• Shoulder Injuries: Rotator cuff tears and labral injuries can severely limit mobility and strength, often requiring extensive treatment at premier sports medicine facilities near our El Segundo office.
• Chronic Joint Conditions: Repeated impacts and stress on joints throughout a player's career can lead to early-onset arthritis and other degenerative conditions requiring ongoing medical intervention.
• Post-Concussion Syndrome: This complex condition can result in long-term cognitive issues, headaches, and psychological symptoms that may require treatment from specialists at facilities like Cedars-Sinai, and may require a concussion lawsuit.
• Peripheral Nerve Injuries: Damage to nerves in extremities can cause chronic pain, numbness, and loss of function, often requiring complex surgical interventions and rehabilitation.
• Repetitive Stress Injuries: Cumulative trauma from years of high-impact play can lead to chronic conditions affecting multiple body systems, requiring comprehensive medical care.
• Catastrophic Fractures: Complex breaks and compound fractures may require multiple surgeries and extended rehabilitation periods at South Bay medical facilities.
• Mental Health Conditions: As your football injury lawyer, we recognize that physical injuries often coincide with depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges that require professional treatment.

Common Causes of NFL Injuries

Whether during practices at local training facilities or games at SoFi Stadium, understanding the cause of an injury is crucial for building a strong legal case. Here are the common causes of NFL injuries that often require the assistance of a personal injury attorney:

• High-Impact Collisions: Direct player-to-player contact at high speeds can result in severe trauma, particularly during games played in venues like SoFi Stadium where the artificial turf can increase impact force.
• Improper Training Protocols: Inadequate rest periods or excessive training intensity during practices, especially during summer sessions in Southern California's heat, can lead to overuse injuries and heat-related conditions.
• Equipment Failures: Defective or improperly maintained protective gear can fail to prevent injuries during critical moments, leading to preventable trauma that requires treatment at facilities like UCLA Medical Center.
• Playing Surface Issues: Poor field conditions, including uneven surfaces or problematic turf installation, can lead to non-contact injuries that require immediate medical attention at local South Bay medical facilities.
• Inadequate Recovery Time: Pressure to return to play before full healing, particularly during crucial games at major venues like SoFi Stadium, can lead to re-injury or worsening of existing conditions.
• Training Facility Hazards: Substandard maintenance or unsafe conditions at practice facilities can result in preventable injuries that require extensive rehabilitation and legal intervention.
• Inadequate Medical Screening: Failure to properly evaluate players' fitness for return to play can result in secondary injuries that compound existing conditions, often requiring treatment at premier Los Angeles medical centers.
• Game Strategy Risks: Certain play calls and formations can put players at increased risk, particularly when combined with fatigue during late-game situations.
• Weather-Related Conditions: Extreme weather conditions, even in temperate Southern California, can contribute to player injuries through heat exhaustion or field condition changes.
• Protective Rule Violations: Failures to enforce safety rules and protocols can lead to preventable injuries that require immediate medical intervention and legal representation.

Who May Be Liable for Your NFL Injuries

Here are the potential parties who may be liable for NFL injuries:

• NFL Organization: The league may bear responsibility for inadequate safety protocols, improper rule enforcement, or failures to address known risks, particularly regarding concussion protocols and player safety standards.
• Team Ownership and Management: Individual teams can be liable for unsafe training practices, inadequate medical care, or pressuring players to return before full recovery at their Los Angeles area facilities.
• Team Medical Staff: Medical professionals who clear players prematurely or fail to properly diagnose conditions may be liable, requiring investigation of treatment records from team facilities and local medical centers.
• Equipment Manufacturers: Companies producing helmets, pads, and other protective gear may be liable if their equipment fails to meet safety standards or contains defects that contribute to injuries.
• Stadium Operators: Entities managing facilities like SoFi Stadium may be responsible for injuries caused by poor field conditions, inadequate maintenance, or unsafe premises conditions.
• Training Facility Managers: Operators of practice facilities throughout Southern California may be liable for injuries resulting from improperly maintained equipment or hazardous conditions.
• Third-Party Contractors: Companies providing services like field maintenance, equipment maintenance, or facility management may share liability for injuries caused by their negligence.
• Team Trainers and Conditioning Staff: These professionals may be liable if their training methods or return-to-play decisions contribute to player injuries or exacerbate existing conditions.
• Insurance Providers: As your sports injury lawyer, we ensure insurance companies properly cover claims under both NFL policies and California state requirements.
• Opposing Players: In cases of intentional misconduct or actions outside the scope of normal play, individual players may bear liability for causing injuries.

Protect Your Future After an NFL Injury

Don't let questions about your rights or concerns about the future prevent you from seeking the legal support you deserve. At Bloom Injury Law in El Segundo, we stand ready to protect your interests and fight for maximum compensation. Contact our office today for a confidential consultation about your NFL injury case.

Injured? Better Call Bloom!

If you've experienced an injury due to someone else's negligence, contact Bloom Injury Law today for a free consultation. Call (310) 525-5985 or contact us online.

NFL Injury Lawyer FAQs

How long do I have to file a claim for an NFL injury in California?

As a football injury lawyer based in El Segundo, we advise players that California has specific statute of limitations for various types of claims. For workers' compensation claims, you typically have one year from the date of injury or when you became aware of the injury. However, certain circumstances may extend this timeline, particularly for cumulative trauma injuries common in professional football.

What makes California a preferred jurisdiction for NFL injury claims?

California's worker's compensation laws provide some of the most comprehensive protections for professional athletes. From our office near SoFi Stadium, we've helped players take advantage of California's cumulative trauma provisions, which recognize the impact of repeated smaller injuries over time – a crucial consideration for NFL players.

Can I file a claim if I only played a few games in California?

Yes, even limited play time in California may establish jurisdiction for your claim. This includes games at SoFi Stadium, practice sessions at local facilities, or training camps held within the state. Each case is unique, and we can evaluate your specific situation to determine eligibility.

Will pursuing legal action affect my current NFL contract?

The NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement provides specific protections for players who pursue legitimate injury claims. As your NFL injury lawyer, we work to protect both your legal rights and your professional interests throughout the claims process.

What if my team doctors cleared me to play but I still had symptoms?

This situation requires careful documentation and potentially independent medical evaluations at premier facilities like UCLA Medical Center or Cedars-Sinai. Your right to seek second opinions is protected, and premature clearance to play may strengthen your claim.

How are NFL injury settlements typically structured?

Settlements can be structured in various ways, including lump-sum payments, structured settlements with periodic payments, or combinations of both. We consider factors like ongoing medical needs, future earning capacity, and tax implications when negotiating settlement structures.

What if my injury occurred during practice rather than a game?

Injuries sustained during official team activities, including practices, training sessions, and team-sponsored events, are generally covered under the same provisions as game-day injuries. Documentation from training facilities and medical providers in the Los Angeles area can help establish the circumstances of practice-related injuries.

Can I still file a claim if I've retired from the NFL?

Yes, many players don't realize the full extent of their injuries until after retirement. California law recognizes latent injuries and cumulative trauma, potentially allowing claims even years after leaving the league.

What role does the NFL's concussion settlement program play in individual claims?

While the concussion settlement program provides certain benefits, it doesn't prevent players from pursuing additional claims for specific injuries or circumstances. We can help determine how the settlement program interacts with your individual case.

How do I know if my injury qualifies for additional compensation beyond standard NFL benefits?

Every injury scenario is unique and requires thorough evaluation. Factors like the circumstances of the injury, the adequacy of medical care, and the long-term impact on your career and quality of life all influence potential compensation beyond standard benefits.