Why would a venue require a pro wrestling promoter get accidental insurance for the wrestlers?
Professional wrestling can be an exciting and entertaining sport, but it also comes with significant risks for the participants. Injuries are not uncommon, and wrestlers may incur significant medical expenses as a result of their participation in matches. This has led to increasing scrutiny of the insurance coverage provided by wrestling promoters and venues, as well as legal responsibilities they may have to protect wrestlers.
In this blog post, we will explore why wrestling promoters and venues might be required to carry insurance for participant medical expenses for their wrestlers. We will discuss the potential legal liabilities that promoters and venues face, as well as the risks that wrestlers themselves may encounter if they are not adequately protected. We will also examine some of the types of insurance coverage that may be required or recommended for professional wrestling events, and the benefits they can provide for wrestlers, promoters, and venues alike. By understanding the importance of insurance coverage for pro wrestling events, we can help ensure that this exciting sport remains as safe and enjoyable as possible for all involved.
Understanding the Risk:
If a professional wrestler gets hurt while performing at a venue that is being rented by an event promoter who does not carry insurance for participant medical expenses, the venue itself may still be liable for claims or lawsuits depending on the specific circumstances of the injury. Here are some possible scenarios:
Negligent maintenance of the premises: If the injury occurred because of a hazardous condition on the property, such as a loose mat or faulty lighting, the venue could be liable for failing to maintain a safe environment for the wrestler.
Negligent security: If the injury occurred because of an altercation with an audience member or another wrestler, the venue could be liable for failing to provide adequate security.
Vicarious liability: If the event promoter was an agent of the venue, the venue could be held responsible for the promoter's actions, including the failure to obtain insurance.
Due to these identified risks many venues are starting to require pro wrestling event promoters purchase participant accidental death and medical payment insurance for the participants in the shows similar to the the type of insurance purchased on the fighters at mixed martial arts events. Although this has not been common over the years more and more venues are requiring this insurance for a few obvious reasons:
Risk Management: The venue may want to manage its own risk exposure by requiring the event promoter to obtain insurance that covers the participants. If a participant is injured or dies during the event, the venue may be held liable for the resulting medical expenses, lost wages, or other damages. By requiring the event promoter to obtain insurance, the venue can limit its own financial exposure in the event of an accident.
Legal Requirements: Depending on the jurisdiction and the specific type of event, there may be legal requirements for event promoters to carry insurance that covers participants. For example, some states or municipalities may require event promoters to carry workers' compensation insurance, which provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their work. In the case of professional wrestling, participants may be classified as employees, independent contractors, or volunteers, depending on the circumstances.
Industry Standards: In some cases, insurance coverage for participants in professional wrestling events may be an industry standard or best practice. This may be particularly true if the event involves high-risk activities, such as extreme stunts or aerial maneuvers, that increase the likelihood of injury or death. Requiring insurance coverage can help ensure that participants receive adequate medical care and compensation in the event of an accident.
Professional wrestlers have filed lawsuits against promoters for medical bills in the past. Pro wrestling can be a dangerous sport, and injuries are common. If a wrestler is injured during a match, the promoter may be liable for the wrestler's medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
In some cases, wrestlers have sued promoters for failing to provide adequate insurance coverage. For example, in 2018, several former WWE wrestlers filed a class-action lawsuit against the company, alleging that it had failed to provide adequate medical care and had misclassified wrestlers as independent contractors rather than employees. The lawsuit sought to require WWE to provide better insurance coverage and benefits to wrestlers.
In other cases, wrestlers have sued promoters for negligence or other wrongdoing that led to their injuries. For example, in 2005, former WCW wrestler Marcus Bagwell sued the company's former owner, AOL Time Warner, for failing to provide adequate medical care after he was injured in a match. Bagwell alleged that the company had failed to provide medical personnel and equipment at the event, and that he had suffered permanent injuries as a result.
It is important to note that not all professional wrestling injuries result in lawsuits, and the outcome of any given lawsuit will depend on the specific circumstances of the case. However, the potential for wrestlers to incur significant medical bills as a result of their participation in the sport means that lawsuits over medical bills and insurance coverage are not uncommon in the industry.
Getting accidental insurance for events.
Buying participant accident medical insurance for a pro wrestling show is similar to a promoter of a mixed martial arts (MMA) event buying the insurance for fighters on the card. Both sports involve physical combat and carry a significant risk of injury or death, making insurance coverage essential to protect the participants and the promoters from potential legal and financial liabilities. MMA promoters typically purchase participant accident medical insurance that provides coverage for medical expenses and accidental death benefits for fighters, and may also require fighters to carry their own insurance coverage. Similarly, wrestling promoters may need to purchase insurance policies that cover injuries and medical expenses for wrestlers, or require wrestlers to obtain their own coverage, in order to protect all parties involved and ensure that the event can be held safely and responsibly.
Professional wrestling promoters can buy participant accident death & medical insurance through insurance companies that specialize in sports and entertainment insurance. In the case of pro wrestling the insurance programs provided for the athletes are customized insurance policies that meet specific minimum required coverage to satisfy venue requirements so that the promoter can host the show and the athletes will have a base level of medical payments for injury or even death.
These customized insurance programs provide wrestlers with a small fixed benefit accident insurance policy whereas if a wrestler is injured during a match and incurs medical expenses as a result, the accident insurance policy could provide some financial assistance to help cover those expenses. The average cost for a program like this only costs about $20 per person and could be particularly helpful for wrestlers who do not have their own health insurance, or who have high deductibles or out-of-pocket costs.
In some cases, an accident insurance policy may not provide enough financial protection to fully compensate a wrestler for their injuries or losses. If a wrestler incurs significant medical bills or other expenses as a result of their participation in a wrestling match, they may still need to pursue legal action against the promoter or other responsible parties to seek full compensation. Taking that into account promoters should also explore additional ways to manage their risks and potential liabilities associated with their events such as requiring wrestlers to sign a waiver of liability that acknowledges the risks of participating in the sport and waives any claims against the promoter or venue for injuries or other losses. It is important to note that waivers of liability may not be enforceable in all situations, particularly if the promoter or venue is found to have been negligent or engaged in other wrongful conduct that contributed to the wrestler's injuries. Another option as mentioned before is to require wrestlers to obtain their own insurance coverage, either through their own personal health insurance or through specialized insurance policies for high-risk sports. The promoter could require proof of insurance from each wrestler prior to the event, and may also consider providing resources or guidance to help wrestlers find appropriate insurance coverage.
It is important to note that the benefit amount of a small fixed benefit accident insurance policy may be relatively low compared to the actual costs of medical treatment. Additionally, there may be limitations on what types of injuries or medical treatments are covered by the policy. For example, a policy might cover only accidental injuries, and exclude injuries that occur as a result of pre-existing conditions or certain types of high-risk activities which is why most insurance agents struggle to find this type of insurance for pro wresting shows so make sure you message one of our agents today who can provide you with information programs that cover wrestlers.
In conclusion, professional wrestling is a high-risk sport that carries significant potential liabilities for both wrestlers and those who promote and host the events. Adequate insurance coverage is essential to help protect wrestlers from the financial and legal risks they may face if they are injured during a match. Promoters and venues may also face significant legal liabilities if they do not provide this type of insurance coverage, which can have serious financial and repetitional consequences. By understanding the importance of insurance coverage for wrestling events, we can help ensure that wrestlers are protected and that the sport can continue to be enjoyed by fans around the world. Whether you are a wrestler, promoter, venue owner, or simply a fan, it is important to be aware of the insurance coverage requirements and options available for professional wrestling events, so that we can all continue to enjoy this exciting and entertaining sport for years to come.
