Should Players with HIV / AIDS Be Allowed To Participate In Youth Sports Leagues?

admin-sh — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:07:58 +0000

Should players with HIV / AIDS be allowed to participate in youth sports leagues? We have seen an increased number of phone calls requesting direction as to whether or not teams and leagues should allow players that are infected HIV / AIDS to participate. Although this is a controversial subject, we hope you find our article, HIV In Youth Sports, both useful and informative.

Directors & Officers Liability Insurance For Sports Leagues, Associations

admin — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:20:44 +0000

Directors & Officers Liability insurance for sports organizations covers certain types of lawsuits that are not covered by the more popular and better known General Liability policy. Whereas the General Liability policy covers certain lawsuits alleging bodily injury, property damage, personal injury, and advertising injury, the Directors & Officers Liability policy typically covers the following types of broad classes of lawsuits:

* Discrimination based on race, sex, age, or handicap.

* Wrongful suspension or termination of league personnel or players.

* Failure to follow own rules or bylaws when making an administrative decision.

* Violation of rights of others under constitutional, federal, or state law.

* Financial mismanagement

The Directors & Officers Liability policy pays covered legal defense costs and pays up to the policy limit in the event of settlement or adverse jury verdict.

Over the past ten years, the types of claims that are potentially covered by the Directors & Officers Liability policy have increased dramatically as the public has become more litigation conscious. The most common categories of lawsuits include handicap discrimination under the Americans With Disability Act ( ADA ), player eligibility disputes, and when league administrators don’t follow their own rules or bylaws when making decisions. We have also seen claims involving breach of contract (usually excluded by most policy forms), race discrimination, violation of expression of religious freedom, failure to make all star team, improper coaching resulting in loss of college scholarship, violation of Sherman Anti Trust / Restraint Of Trade, internal board disputes (usually excluded by most policy forms), injunctive relief to halt tournament due to player eligibility issue (often not covered by most policy forms), etc.

The Directors & Officers policy form varies greatly from one carrier to the next and as a result, a detailed review is required to uncover dangerous exclusions that would take away essential coverages. Unfortunately, most insurance agents are not competent in this area.

Some important policy provisions include employment practices liability and third party liability including discrimination.

Source: John Sadler

Sports Insurance Blog » Americans With Disabilities Act

Should Players with HIV / AIDS Be Allowed To Participate In Youth Sports Leagues?

Directors & Officers Liability Insurance For Sports Leagues, Associations