Ten former National Football League players have filed a class action lawsuit against the organization, claiming their disability claims were denied.
In the filing, the plaintiffs said they’re “seeking redress for the wrongful denial of benefits, the denial of statutorily mandated full and fair review of benefits denials, violations of plan terms or governing regulations and breaches of fiduciary duty,” according to a report by CBS News.
The lawsuit also alleges the accused parties — which include NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, as well as the league’s disability benefits program and disability board — acted in “an overly aggressive and disturbing pattern of erroneous and arbitrary benefits denials, bad faith contract misinterpretations and other unscrupulous tactics” in withholding disability benefits and a lack of thoroughness when reviewing medical records.
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“The disability plan, which is established by the NFL [and NFL Players’ Association] as part of the [collective bargaining agreement], includes an uncapped financial commitment to provide benefits for any retired player that meets the eligibility requirements set by the parties,” said an NFL spokesperson in a report by CNN.
“These eligibility requirements and administrative procedures were developed after consultation with occupational, mental and physical health experts. The plan annually provides more than $330 million to deserving players and their families.”
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