King compo win opens legal doorHerald-Sun
March 26, 2016FORMER Richmond player Jake King has won a year-long legal tussle with the AFL to gain compensation for his career-ending foot injury, opening the door to other retirees to lodge their claims.
King’s solicitor, John Gdanski, and the AFL reached an agreement via email late Thursday afternoon in what has set an important precedence for other players forced to retire from the game through injury.
King was permanently sidelined at the end of the 2014 after he failed to overcome a toe injury, following eight seasons with the Tigers.
His foot was stomped on during Richmond’s Round 3 game against the Western Bulldogs and that game ultimately became his last.
King said he was thrilled with the outcome and hoped it would pave the way for other players who were ousted from the game prematurely through injury, to pursue compensation.
“This is significant, this means that players who are forced out through career-ending injuries are going to be looked after,” King told The Daily Telegraph.
“We work so hard to get to the top of our game and it is heartbreaking when it ends unexpectedly.”
He said players dedicated their lives to the sport and when that was ripped out from under them, it could cause hardship.
“We have a limited number of years that we can perform at the top level, it’s not like other professions where you work for 30-odd years; players have a limited time frame that they can set themselves up and if you are put out through injury, you deserve to be compensated for that,” he said.
King’s toe has been fused and, after seven surgeries, he can no longer run, let alone kick a footy.
While a figure has not been settled on, it is understood the number will be formulated through a clause in King’s contract. The payout will come from an AFL insurance policy.
Gdanski, of RB Flinders, said it was a significant day for AFL players.
“It’s a great result between the AFL and Jake; he is a very brave guy to take on the AFL like he has,”Gdanski said,
“Others would have baulked when confronted with a legal process. But he has worn the legal costs and paved away for other players in similar positions to get what they deserve”
Gdanski said it was an “interesting process” as no costs would be awarded.
“It’s not fair that there is no costs awarded, there should be costs; all maters should be addressed so that no one is out of pocket,” he said.
“He has had to pay for mediation, for medical certificates, it’s not ideal for players but the main thing is everyone has walked away from this shaking hands.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/jake-king-wins-compensation-case-against-afl-opens-door-for-other-retirees-to-lodge-claims/news-story/0cbe8dbb458c3ad7ff4646fa282c32b3
