Player Injury Information
Injury Fund
What is the Injury Fund?
The injury fund is an injury scheme and NOT an insurance scheme and does not seek to compensate fully for injury, rather to lessen the hardship to players and officials. The fund should supplement other schemes where applicable, i.e. Vhi, Vivas, Quinn, etc.
Who does the Injury Fund Cover?
The Injury Fund covers those in the fund for injuries sustained in the following:
a) an official competitive or challenge game
b) an official and supervised training session
It also applies to Club Officers, Team Mentors and Match Officials (Referees, Umpires and Linespersons)if registered to the injury fund. All players must be registered to the fund.
What are the Benefits of the Scheme?
Dental
Unrecoverable dental expenses up to a maximum of €3000
Medical
Unrecoverable medical expenses up to a maximum of €5500
Physiotherapy sessions shall be limited to a maximum of 6 sessions. If subsequent sessions are required a full report must be submitted by the registered chartered physiotherapist or physical therapist. Further payment will only be consider on receipt of this report. Physiotherapy is required to be carried out by individuals with an appropriate third level qualification, who are members of a regulatory professional body in line with their qualifications and who have appropriate insurance/ indemnity.
Travel expenses and any medical aids are not covered under the scheme
Loss of Wages
Applicable to both adult and under age players who are in employment and who have paid the €25 subscription
Unrecoverable loss of basic wages are payable for a maximum of 20 weeks. The maximum benefit payable per week amounts to €200
An under age player in full or part time employment should pay the adult rate as this would allow the player to claim loss of wages
Are there any exclusions from the Injury Fund?
The scheme shall not apply in the case of a player/official:
Who is injured during a game as a result of an assault wherein the claimant has been the aggressor
Whose injury arises from a pre-existing physical defect or infirmity or from the use of alcohol or drugs
Who may be pregnant, suffering from concussion etc. Any player who plays in this condition is entirely responsible for any consequences that may arise
Wearing Glasses/facemask/noseguards playing Ladies Gaelic Football: It’s important to remember that just because you wear glasses, it doesn’t mean you can’t participate in Sport. It is entirely possible to manage vision problems and still enjoy a fulfilling physical life. For the most part, you should not wear glasses when participating on contact sports. There are too many opportunities for the glasses to come off and / or to break. Any person who requires corrective eyewear to participate in Ladies Gaelic Football should consult with their optometrist and review options to ensure safe participation. One of the main things is to ensure you tell your optometrist of your plans to play Ladies Gaelic Football. He/ She will be able to fit you with glasses that use durable, unbreakable polycarbonate for the lens. That means that even if you do accidentally knock the glasses off or get hit with a ball they are much less likely to incur damage. The frame is very important to consider also. Normal prescription glasses are made for daily wear and are suited best to low activity levels. Normal frames are also chosen for how they look and not how they perform under impact. For this reason you will also need to ensure your frames for sports glasses are as durable as the lenses. It is entirely possible to wear prescription glasses during physical activity. However it is very important that you speak to your optometrist about finding the best solution for you, so you can carry on playing the sport you love.
Once the protective equipment is medically prescribed with the doctor aware that it will be worn to play Ladies Gaelic Football and not pose a hazard to other players there is no issue with the wearing of same from the LGFA Injury Fund point of view.
In the event of an application made by any member which is not a bona fide application, and which is made for the purposes of obtaining payment to which they are not entitled, the application shall be declared void. Suspensions may arise as a result to all parties involved
What is the Procedure for Making a Claim?
A Co-ordinator, based in Head Office, (Rosemarie Coyle) is employed to co-ordinate the day to day running of the fund on behalf of Central Council.
The National Treasurer of the Association will liaise with the Co-ordinator on a regular basis
All submissions of claims must be made within two months of the date of injury to Head Office
Where a claim cannot be made within the two month period, or the claim may exceed €200 a Preliminary Notification Form (1-page form)should be completed and forwarded to Head Office Download Prelim Form
All forms are available from Clubs, County Boards or Head Office.
Claim forms should be signed by the injured player and counter signed by the Club Secretary as a declaration of authenticity. This is then forwarded to the County Secretary and signed as a declaration that s/he has been officially notified of the injury Download Full Claim Form
What Documentation needs to be forwarded with the Claim?
The claim documentation must incorporate:
Loss of Wages Claims: Employer’s Certification stating the basic loss of earnings along with the last four payslips
The official in charge of the team must sign the claim
A letter from the appropriate Secretary as to whether permission had been granted for a challenge match should the injury have occurred during this match
Original receipts must be forwarded. No photocopies will be accepted
If the applicant has suffered from a previous injury and has already received payment from the Injury Fund, the reference number from that claim should be included on the claim form
What is the Procedure if a Player requires Private Treatment?
Private treatment is defined as any treatment that is paid outside of the public health treatment system
Any request for private treatment must be supported by documentation from a Medical Practitioner to show reasons why private treatment is necessary
Private Treatment involves a step by step procedure
– Permission to see a Consultant – send Doctors letter to Head Office
– Permission for a MRI scan – send consultant letter to Head Office
– Permission for surgery – send results of MRI and consultant letter to Head Office
If a submitted claim is not fully documented, the necessary documents may be requested by the Co-ordinator, or declared void
All payments are made directly to the applicant
Where claims are late being received by Central Council, and if the delay is due to the Club or County Board, then the Club or County Board can be held responsible for the payment of the claim
What are the Main Guidelines for Players?
Report any suspected injury
When completing the Application Form, print your name, address and club clearly under Section 1
Ensure permission is sought for private treatment
A copy of all forms, receipts, letters, etc sent should be kept and any correspondence received should also be kept
Where a preliminary claim has been submitted, a report and update on the claim must be submitted within one year from the date of the preliminary notice to validate the claim
All claims for which preliminary notices have been received must be lodged and validated within two years of the original preliminary notice except in exceptional circumstances
Injury claims will be monitored on a claim by claim basis and a player who plays while receiving treatment may have her claim disallowed.
Wearing Glasses playing Ladies Gaelic Football
It’s important to remember that just because you wear glasses, it doesn’t mean you can’t participate in Sport.
It is entirely possible to manage vision problems and still enjoy a fulfilling physical life.
For the most part, you should not wear glasses when participating on contact sports. There are too many opportunities for the glasses to come off and / or to break.
Any person who requires corrective eyewear to participate in Ladies Gaelic Football should consult with their optometrist and review options to ensure safe participation.
One of the main things is to ensure you tell your optometrist of your plans to play Ladies Gaelic Football. He or she will be able to fit you with glasses that use durable, unbreakable polycarbonate for the lens. That means that even if you do accidently knock the glasses off or get hit with a ball or Hurl they are much less likely to incur damage.
The frame is very important to consider also. Normal prescription glasses are made for daily wear and are suited best to low activity levels. Normal frames are also chosen for how they look and not how they perform under impact. For this reason you will also need to ensure your frames for sports glasses are as durable as the lenses.
It is entirely possible to wear prescription glasses during physical activity. However it is very important that you speak to your optometrist about finding the best solution for you, so you can carry on playing the sport you love.
What are the Key Guidelines for Officials?
Ensure all details on form are completed and in order prior to forwarding claim
Ensure forms are forwarded on time
Ensure a plentiful supply of all forms are available and accessible for all players
Establish a register of claims for your own records
Who do you Contact in Relation to the Injury Fund Scheme?
Rosemarie Coyle
Croke Park,
Dublin 3
Email: rosemary.coyle@lgfa.ie
Phone: (01) 8363156
Download Forms here:
