California bill would prevent out-of-state athletes from receiving workers’ comp

Sacramento, CA – Out-of-state professional athletes would not be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits from California for cumulative injuries under a new bill introduced Feb. 25.

AB 1309 would apply to players in minor or major league football, basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer.

Although states usually allow athletes to file claims for specific on-the-job injuries that happened there, California has a provision that provides benefits for the cumulative effect of injuries sustained over time. If this bill becomes law, retired athletes who spent less than 90 days working in California in the year before filing a claim would no longer be eligible for those benefits.

Team owners reportedly support the bill, but players unions and some labor groups oppose it.