Bears’ Down
Published on May 23rd, 2017 by The Illinois Hammer Injury Law Firm
Recently the Chicago Bears’ Brian Urlacher, Matt Forte, Alshon Jeffery, and Kevin White have all filed workers’ compensation claims. The Chicago Bears have had 410 workers’ compensation claims filed against the team since 1997. Just like a steel or factory worker, these are people who compromise their bodies for their employment. As a result, they are left with lifelong injuries, for which they can be legally compensated. Over the last 20 years, Chicago sports teams have spent nearly $14 million to settle out 319 claims.
Chicago sports teams want the wage differential limited in most cases to age 35 for professional athletes because their playing careers would not typically exceed that age. The bill is now pending in the Illinois Senate.
