La. Senators Vote With N.O. Saints Owner In Workers Comp Dispute

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Senators on the labor committee have narrowly sided with New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson over the NFL players in a dispute over how workers compensation claims for professional athletes should be calculated.

The bill by Rep. Chris Broadwater, pushed by the team owner, would calculate workers compensation for professional athletes based on recent earnings, not future possible wages.

The NFL Players Association says the proposal could lessen the amount of workers compensation Benson pays in injury cases. Saints officials say they're seeking the new provision to stop repeated lawsuits over workers compensation claims.

The Senate labor committee voted 4-3 to advance the House-backed proposal to the full Senate for debate. Committee Chairman A.G. Crowe, of Slidell, cast the deciding vote.

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House Bill 1069 can be found at www.legis.la.gov

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