BY RICH CIMINI and JOHN MARZULLI
New York Daily News
Posted Saturday, May 19th 2007, 4:00 AM
Jets running back Curtis Martin hasn't officially announced his Hall of Fame career is over, but a lawsuit filed in federal court yesterday made it clear he's done.
Martin revealed in the complaint that he's totally disabled due to a knee injury and is suing Lloyd's of London for refusing to pay him the $5 million in coverage he purchased from the insurance company in 2005.
The NFL's No.4 all-time rusher did not play a single down last season and told the Daily News last November that "retirement is probably the inevitable outcome" while suggesting he could probably tolerate the pain in his right knee to score a touchdown.
But on July 28, 2006, Martin submitted a claim form and physician's report to Lloyd's of London stating that, "On or about Dec.14, 2005, plaintiff became permanently disabled as a result of a single and unexpected event, a hit to his knee, during a professional football game ... and resulted in plaintiff's total disability," the complaint said.
He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on that date. The last game he played was Dec.4, 2005.
Last month, Lloyd's informed Martin by letter that the coverage was being denied. The suit accuses Lloyd's of breach of contract.
Martin, 34, purchased two policies for total disability insurance that were effective from Aug.1, 2005, to Aug.1, 2006. The prepaid premium cost him $178,250, according to court papers.
Martin's lawyer said last night that he wanted to speak to his client before commenting further on the suit. Lawyers of Lloyd's could not be reached.
The suit claims Martin's economic damages are in excess of $5 million. He took a $1.7 million pay cut last season and this year he was due to earn $4.4 million (that was later lowered to $3.3 million), but won't see a penny because it is not guaranteed if he retires.
New York Daily News
Posted Saturday, May 19th 2007, 4:00 AM
Jets running back Curtis Martin hasn't officially announced his Hall of Fame career is over, but a lawsuit filed in federal court yesterday made it clear he's done.
Martin revealed in the complaint that he's totally disabled due to a knee injury and is suing Lloyd's of London for refusing to pay him the $5 million in coverage he purchased from the insurance company in 2005.
The NFL's No.4 all-time rusher did not play a single down last season and told the Daily News last November that "retirement is probably the inevitable outcome" while suggesting he could probably tolerate the pain in his right knee to score a touchdown.
But on July 28, 2006, Martin submitted a claim form and physician's report to Lloyd's of London stating that, "On or about Dec.14, 2005, plaintiff became permanently disabled as a result of a single and unexpected event, a hit to his knee, during a professional football game ... and resulted in plaintiff's total disability," the complaint said.
He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on that date. The last game he played was Dec.4, 2005.
Last month, Lloyd's informed Martin by letter that the coverage was being denied. The suit accuses Lloyd's of breach of contract.
Martin, 34, purchased two policies for total disability insurance that were effective from Aug.1, 2005, to Aug.1, 2006. The prepaid premium cost him $178,250, according to court papers.
Martin's lawyer said last night that he wanted to speak to his client before commenting further on the suit. Lawyers of Lloyd's could not be reached.
The suit claims Martin's economic damages are in excess of $5 million. He took a $1.7 million pay cut last season and this year he was due to earn $4.4 million (that was later lowered to $3.3 million), but won't see a penny because it is not guaranteed if he retires.
0 comments:
Post a Comment