COLO. COURT TURNS DOWN NHL PLAYER’S BID TO COLLECT DISABILITY INSURANCE:

July 18, 2005

Warren Rychel, a former NHL player, will not be able to accept disability insurance for an injury to his hand that he suffered on the ice, according to the Associated Press. Rychel, who previously played with the Colorado Avalanche, filed a lawsuit against Lloyd’s of London for his injury in a game against the Vancouver Canucks in December 1998. The appeals court and trial court ruled that only unexpected injuries could be covered under his professional athlete disability insurance. The injury to his hand was expected, the court said, because fighting was part of Rychel’s job. The hockey player’s attorney said that Rychel was not trying to hit anyone when he injured his hand, but the court disagreed.