The Nashville Predators have responded to Eric Nystrom’s workers’ comp complaint, which alleges that he suffered multiple injuries, including a concussion, “while acting in the course and scope of his employment as a professional hockey player (over the course of his four-year contract with the Predators).”
The injuries, he claims, left him “temporarily and totally disabled for a period of time.” He also alleges he has “a permanent partial disability.”
As a result, Nystrom is seeking the following from the Predators: unpaid temporary total disability benefits; reasonable and necessary medical expenses, including lifetime medical benefits, for injuries that occurred between 2013 and 2014; to be awarded permanent disability benefits under Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Law; and any costs associated with the lawsuit.
In their denial, the team claims that it provided “authorized medical care and treatment” for the injuries as well as disagrees that Nystrom was “temporarily and totally disabled for a period of time” because of the work injuries. It also argues that Nystrom’s right to compensation is “forever barred by the applicable statute of limitations.”
Further, the Predators claim that Nystrom did not give adequate notice of his alleged injury “to the extent his condition pre-existed, did not arise out of employment [with the Predators], and/or was in no way aggravated or worsened by his employment [with the Predators.]” The suggestion that the “condition pre-existed” could be significant as it relates to Nystrom’s concussion.
Nystrom’s attorney Gregg Ramos told the media that it is typical for professional athletes to ask for and secure lifetime medical benefits for treatment related to sports injuries.
“One of the most important things for my professional athletes is the right to lifetime medical benefits,” said Ramos, who has represented members of the Tennessee Titans and other former Predators players. “It’s not really about money. It’s to preserve that right to lifetime medical benefits.”
