Your Disability Attorney for Claims Under the NFL Player Disability Plan

 

The NFL Player Disability Plan provides three types of disability benefits: Total & Permanent Disability benefits; Line of Duty Disability benefits; and, Neurocognitive Disability benefits.

 

This article explains what you must prove to receive benefits under the NFL Player Disability plan. If you’re a current or former professional football player suffering physical or mental disability, call, text, or email NFL disability lawyer Corey Pollard today. We’ll provide aggressive legal representation to help you get the benefits you’re entitled to under the NFL Player Disability plan and Social Security Disability.

 

Lawyer for NFL Total & Permanent Disability Claims

 

A player may be entitled to Total and Permanent disability benefits if he is prevented from or unable to perform any occupation or employment. If you meet the medical requirements of the NFL’s Total and Permanent Disability Benefit programs then the amount of your benefit is based on what tier you fall in. There are four tiers:

 

Active Player, Football Related

 

If you are disabled because of NFL football activities and become totally and permanently disabled thereafter, then you’re entitled to $265,000.00 per year effective January 1, 2016.

 

Active Player, Non-Football Related

 

If you have total and permanent disability that is unrelated to football activities but that arises while you’re an active player, then you’re entitled to $165,000.00 per year effective January 1, 2016.

 

Inactive Player A

 

If you’re a vested player who becomes totally and permanently disabled because of football activities within 15 years of your last credited season, then you’re entitled to $135,000.00 per year effective January 1, 2016

 

Inactive Player B

 

If you’re a vested player with total and permanent disability from football activities after 15 years from your last credited season, then you’re entitled to $60,000.00 per year effective January 1, 2016.

 

NFL Line of Duty Disability Claims

 

If you’re a former NFL player who is dealing with a “substantial disablement arising out of NFL football activities” then you may receive a Line of Duty (“LOD”) disability payment even though you’re not permanently and totally disabled.

 

What is a substantial disablement?

 

A substantial disablement is a disability that has lasted or can be expected to last at least 1 year. This is similar to the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability.

 

What is an NFL football activity?

 

When determining whether a former football player is eligible for line of duty benefits, the NFL considers the following to be league football activities:

 

  • Pre-season football games
  • Regular season football games
  • Playoff football games
  • All football activities required, directed, or supervised by an NFL team. This includes practice.

 

How much can a football player receive in Line of Duty benefits? 

 

If you qualify for NFL Line of Duty disability benefits, your benefit will equal the greater of (a) the sum of your Player Benefit Credits as of the date the disability began or (b) $3,000 per month. To earn a Credited season you must have been on a team’s Active List, Injured Reserve List, or Physically Unable to Perform List for three or more games.

 

Your benefits will continue for as long as you remain substantially disabled, but are capped at 90 months.

 

How long do I have to file a claim for NFL Line of Duty benefits? 

 

You must submit your claim for Line of Duty disability benefits to the Retirement Board within the greater of (a) 4 years or (b) a number of years equal to the number of Credited Seasons you accrued. For example, if you have 5 Credited Seasons then you will have 5 years from the date you cease to be an Active Player to file. There is, however, one exception where you will have longer to file. If you are found physically or mentally incapacitated then the statute of limitations is tolled.

 

There is no workers compensation offset with your NFL Line of Duty disability benefits.

 

Neuro-Cognitive Disability Benefit for NFL Players

 

Former NFL players who have a permanent, neuro-cognitive disorder or impairment but are not receiving Line of Duty, Total and Permanent disability benefits, or Pension Benefits under the NFL Retirement Plan may qualify for this benefit.

 

This benefit provides help to players who suffer from mild or moderate neuro-cognitive impairments, regardless of the cause. You do not have to prove that the impairment is related to football.

 

Under the plan disabled players receive monthly disability payments and are reimbursed for medical expenses up to $10,000.

 

For a player with a mild euro-cognitive impairment the monthly disability benefit will be the greater of: (a) 50% of the Player’s Total Benefit Credits or (b) $1,500.

 

For a player with a moderate near-cognitive impairment the monthly disability benefit will be the greater of: (a) 100% of the Player’s Total Benefit Credits or (b) $3,000.

 

The benefits are payable for up to 180 months or until the player reaches the age of 55, whichever comes first.

 

NFL Disability Lawyer Helping You Get Every Penny You Deserve

 

As a professional football player you put your health and body on the line for the NFL, your team, and your team’s fans. It’s only right that you receive fair compensation and medical treatment for the physical pain and mental disability caused by football.

 

If you are looking for legal representation or have a question about the benefits available under the NFL Player Disability Plan, call long term disability lawyer and professional athlete disability attorney Corey Pollard today. We can help you get the benefits you’re owed.

Corey Pollard
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