Player Injury Schemes

The GAA Injury Scheme is designed to provide ‘additional’ cover to GAA players' own insurance plan. Therefore, we strongly recommend that all our players read the policy carefully.  All players/mentors should take the time to read the full document (see link at bottom of page) – Here is a brief summary of the main points:

• Players need to be a fully paid-up registered member of the club to avail of the G.A.A. Injury Scheme.
• DWF Insurance are the designated GAA Injury Scheme administrators
• Team Managers: If a player gets injured at a match/training, team managers need to ensure that the referee is informed of the injury after the match and that the referee is advised to note this in his report.

How do I claim?

• All claims must be reported to DWF Claims within 60 days of the injury by the club secretary, Mick Burns (secretary.eireoggreystones.wicklow@gaa.ie) who enters all the required details on the DWF online system in order to submit the claim.
• The onus is on the player to inform and log details of their injury with the club secretary within 60 days from the date of the injury. Failure to log the injury will result in the claim not being processed and therefore invalid and the club does not accept any responsibility for medical costs incurred.

Once the claim has been submitted online,

• The secretary will receive a claim number and acknowledgment in relation to the claim
• Once the submitted claim is reviewed by DWF Claims, DWF Claims will acknowledge the claim and it will be forwarded on-line to the relevant County Board for approval.
• The secretary will be able to download the relevant sections of the claim form that need to be submitted by the player.
• If a submitted claim is not fully documented, the necessary documents will be requested by DWF Claims to resolve the claim.

• Players with private health cover i.e. VHI/Layla/Aviva have to claim their expenses back i.e. medical or physio from their private health insurer before the GAA will consider the balance of their claim. Statements from such private health insurers will be required.

What is covered:

• The maximum payment for a medical claim and dental claims is €4,500. It covers things like consultant's visits, GP consultations, surgery and other procedures. The GAA Injury Scheme payout only on the presentation of receipts – i.e. you pay the medical costs first and then are reimbursed.
• The first €100 expense is not covered by the GAA Player Injury insurance and will not be reimbursed by the club.
• Players are not covered for physiotherapy under the scheme (only post-operative physiotherapy is covered).
• Transport costs for hospital appointments are not covered by the club.

Loss of Wages:

• Applicable to adults/youth who are in full-time employment at the date of injury (‘employment’ means – permanent gainful employment of not less than 16 hours per week).
• The claimant must be unable to work for a minimum of 14 consecutive days. The cover is limited and is outlined on (Page 7)

Read the full policy document HERE>>

What is the LFGA 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, Irish Life etc. Rules pertaining to the injury fund are covered in the official guide from Rule 67 to Rule 91 and you should make yourself aware of these.

Who does the Injury Fund Cover?

The Injury Fund covers all playing members who sustain an injury 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.

What are the Benefits of the Scheme?

The fund will pay out the following amounts, once all relevant paperwork & prior approval has been received

1. Medical Expenses – €5,500, which includes GP Visits, Physio (6 Sessions @ 90%), MRI’s, Consultant Visits & Surgery (once prior approved)
2. Dental Expenses – €3,000
3. Loss of Wages – A maximum €200 per week for a max of 20 weeks. Applies to all adult members but if you’re a juvenile with a part time job, you must pay the adult rate in order to qualify.

How can I make a claim?

In order to claim for the benefits above, you must

1. Submit a Preliminary Claim Form within eight weeks of getting injured regardless if it’s serious or not. Forms are available HERE and it must be signed by all relevant parties, as per the form.
2. Private treatment (i.e. MRI’s, Consultant visits & Surgery) must be prior approved in order for us to reimburse you.
3. Physio & GP visits are not considered private treatment, and will be refunded once you have submitted your Preliminary Claim Form within 8 weeks of the date of injury. (Physiotherapy is required to be carried out by individuals with an appropriate third level qualification).
4. Dental Treatment is not considered private but you must submit a report from your dentist once you have been assessed.
5. Once you have completed all your treatment, you must then submit the Full Claim Form, along with all your paid original receipts (no photocopies) to Amy Coll, LGFA, Croke Park, Dublin 3
6. To claim for loss of wages;
   1. Your employer sign & stamp your Full Claim Form and
   2. Submit your last 4 payslips and
   3. Submit a statement of any social welfare payments.
   4. Medical Cert from your GP
7. Claims will be checked and verified. You have one year from date of injury to activate the claim and two years to complete claim process.
8. A cheque will be issued to the player/guardian. No third party cheques will be issued.

What is the Procedure if a Player requires Private Treatment?

Private treatment is considered to be treatment not provided by the public system i.e. HSE or NHS. If you require treatment outside of the public system, we will require the following documentation in original format posted to the office in Croke Park prior to your visit in order to financially reimburse your expenses:

1. Medical Letter of Referral from your GP, to say he/she has accessed you and is referring you on for an MRI or Consultant Visit.
2. A letter from you the player requesting financial permission for this visit.
3. A letter from a consultant for any further private treatment.

If we do not receive the above pieces of information, along with your Preliminary Claim Form prior to the treatment, then we will not be in a position to reimburse you for these expenses.

Is there any exclusion from the Injury Fund?

Travel expenses, prescriptions and medical aids are NOT covered under 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
• Players who do not wear mouth guards.
• Who may be pregnant, suffering from concussion etc, any player who plays in this condition is entirely responsible for any consequences that may arise.
• Protective equipment needs to be medically prescribed by your doctor who is aware that it will be worn to play Ladies Gaelic Football and not pose a hazard to other players, then there is no issue with the wearing of same from the LGFA Injury Fund point of view.
• Any person who requires corrective eyewear to participate in Ladies Gaelic Football should consult with their optometrist and review options to ensure safe participation.

• • 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
  • You will also need to ensure your frames for sports glasses are as durable as the lenses

The Camogie Association, unlike its GAA and LGFA counterparts, does not administer its own injury scheme. Insurance claims must be processed via the relevant insurance company. Éire Óg, Greystones uses Grogan Insurance. If you need to make a claim, you can email secretary.greystones.wicklow@camogie.ie