Many New Yorkers may think that baseball players are just having fun when out on the field. However, for the players, they are actually at work. Like many other New Yorkers, they are also susceptible to on-the-job injuries. These workplace injuries could keep players out of the game for weeks, months or even the season. Much like other New Yorkers that are injured in workplace accidents, expenses can pile up for baseball players. They may require surgery and time off following the accident.
In order to pay for these expenses, players take advantage of workers’ compensation. Each team is responsible for paying for workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance helps to pay for medical expenses and other costs associated with an injury. This way, baseball players are not left paying huge medical expenses following a workplace accident. Any expenses that are not covered by workers’ compensation is then paid for by the team.
New York workers may be interested to know that they have many of the same rights as baseball players when it comes to workplace injuries. Following a workplace accident, workers have the right to be compensated for any expenses stemming from the accident or injury. These expenses include lost wages, medical expenses and rehabilitative costs. For most people — who usually don’t make the same amount as professional baseball players — this compensation can be vital to their recovery. Otherwise, workers may struggle to pay for their medical care while being out of work.
However, unlike baseball players, most people are not recorded when they work, so video of their workplace accident may not be available. In order to qualify for workers’ compensation, people may need to present appropriate verification of the injury and the expenses.
Source: The New York Times, “Mets’ Harvey Is Covered Like Any Other Employee With a Workplace Injury,” Richard Sandomir, Sept. 18, 2013