Bengals Want Workers’ Comp Cases Moved to Ohio

The Cincinnati Bengals have filed a lawsuit asking that the workers’ compensation claims of 31 former players be moved from California to Ohio.

In its lawsuit filed in Cincinnati, the professional football team says players’ contracts require workers’ comp to be pursued only in Ohio. The team also says Ohio law allows employers and employees to resolve workers’ compensation claims exclusively in Ohio.

The team says none of the players live in California or were injured in California.

Unlike most states, California allows insurance payments to workers who can show they suffered trauma that compounded over a period of time.

Former defensive lineman Reinard Wilson won his California claim and has been paid more than $58,000 by the Bengals. The team says he played just two games in California while he was with the Bengals in 1997. A county judge in Cincinnati has issued an order to stop any further payments to Wilson.

The next court date in the case is Oct. 15.