History

• In 1978, New South Wales, Australia's most populated region, recognized the need for a compensatory element for players who are seriously injured or killed while playing in organized sports, whether in schools or on professional teams. Specifically, the Act relates to injuries that result in at least a 50 percent loss of the use of either arm or either leg, or in instances of death while participating in an organized sporting or athletic event.
  
  

Significance

• The Act established a safety net of sorts for players and their respective organizations, such that the players could concentrate on playing the sport without having to be concerned about possible health care and recovery expenses resulting from a serious injury. Under the terms of the Act, in the unfortunate event of a player's death resulting from an athletic or sporting event, the committee would compensate players 18 years of age and older $70,680, and an additional $2,850 to each of the player's qualified dependents.
  
  

Benefits

• An example of other benefits, under the terms of the sporting injuries act, is that any player who suffers an injury deemed compensable involving the permanent loss of at least 50 percent of the use of both of the player's legs as a result of quadriplegia or paraplegia, the committee would pay the player $27,530. Additionally, any player who suffers the total loss of sight of one eye and also suffers permanent and serious reduction of sight of the player's other eye, as a result of a single sport-related incident; the Committee would pay the player at least $39,500.
  
  

Maximum Benefits

• In any scenario, the maximum benefit amount payable under this section to an injured player for all injuries suffered by the player as a result of a single incident is $171,000. Under the provisions of the Act, no more than $70,680 can be paid for an eligible injury suffered by a player until three months have transpired after the day the incident occurred. If a player suffers a single injury that involves more than one eligible injury, that player is eligible for compensation in the amount of the largest benefit. An example of this scenario occurs if a player's injures results in the loss of a foot. Although such an injury results in the loss of a foot and a percentage loss of the lower part of a leg, the player's entitlement would be whichever loss gives the largest benefit, not a combination of benefits for each loss.