Former-NHL player Aaron Rome is suing the NHL and his insurance company due to a hip injury that occurred in 2014 and essentially ended his career. Rome’s injury occurred while he was a member of the Dallas Stars in a game against the St. Louis Blues at the American Airlines Center.
Aaron Rome is reportedly suing the NHL after career-ending hip injury. https://t.co/29BHIVVTRg pic.twitter.com/h46teVcY2k
— theScore (@theScore) August 5, 2016
Rome had surgery to fix his ailing hip, but he was never able to fully recover and eventually had to retire from professional hockey. The Stars had just signed Rome to a three-year contract worth $4.5 million ahead of the 2012-13 season. To make matters worse for Rome, the Stars used a compliance buyout on him following the 2013-14 season to avoid paying him in full for the last year of his contract.
Rome did try to make a comeback with the Detroit Red Wings and the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals on professional tryout deals, but both attempts ultimately failed, leading to the disability benefits claims.
The lawsuit that Rome is filing against the NHL comes as a result of his claim for disability benefits from HCC Life Insurance Company being denied. Rome is essentially stating that the insurance adjuster who was assigned to handle his claim was not licensed in Texas and did not disclose all of the documents that were needed to appeal the claim.
Rome is claiming that the NHL and his insurance company “mistreated an athlete who gave his heart and effort to professional hockey only to be betrayed by those who were supposed to help, protect, and provide benefits he undoubtedly deserves.”
It isn’t clear if Rome is actually eligible for disability benefits at this time, and the financial compensation that Rome is seeking is currently unavailable.