A re-known former NFL player, Haruki Namakura sued the Llyod’s of London this week after they denied his concussion claim. The former player suffered what is said to be a career ending injury in 2013 during the Carolina’s Exhibition V Steelers. He had purchased a $1million insurance policy in 2012 right before the season with panthers. Since his concussion, the player is yet to collect on the policy hence the law suit against his insurer.
Given his status as a professional athlete, this suit could become the landmark case for athletes seeking reimbursement from insurance companies after injuries especially concussions and head traumas. The suit was filed on Monday in North Carolina.
The August 2013 concussion rendered Haruki Namaruka fully and permanently disabled. The NFL awarded him total and permanent disability benefits consequent to his retirement following post-concussion symptoms. He will therefore be receiving $10,000 monthly in benefits. He had suffered post-concussion symptoms but according to the Lloyd’s medical expert ruling in 2015, he was fir to play. This was contrary to a diagnosis by a specialist at the University of Pittsburg Medical Center.
The former NFL player’s attempts to recover on the policy was unfruitful as the insurance company has been stalling. It is alleged that the Lloyd’s of London pulled a stunt most insurance companies pull by burying the former player in endless bureaucracies and loads of paperwork. Their spokeswoman also declined to comment on the suit stating that it is against their policy to comment on pending law suits.
Haruki Namaruka played defensive back for the panthers when he took the hit on his head that led to a concussion. His claim will be the first to be rejected by an insurance company even after an NFL medical expert has declared his concussion a ‘career ending injury’. The policy taken out in 2012 was intended to be a hedge against a career ending injury. He is seeking $3million in the suit.
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