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Risk Management

Mid Am Risk Manager

Mark M. Zukowski, AAI

Mid Am Risk Manager

P: 724-779-7200 x205

C: 412-860-7360

mmzukowski@ehd-ins.com

Claim Filing Information

Following is a brief on insurance and contact information to process the injury claim.

USA Hockey provides participant accident as follows:

PARTICIPANT ACCIDENT (EXCESS) COVERAGE

This coverage is provided for registered members participating on all USA Hockey registered ice hockey teams and registered officials. It provides participant medical accident insurance for the covered medical expenses of registered members, on an excess basis, over and above their personal group medical insurance, with no deductible per accident (if there is other valid and collectible insurance in force at the time of the accident). If there is NOT other valid, collectible medical insurance in force at the time of the accident, the deductible becomes $1,000 per accident, before participant accident insurance applies. The deductible portion of a primary insurance policy are NOT COVERED by the policy.

Participant Accident (Excess) insurance provides coverage on an excess basis for accidental medical expenses, accidental death and dismemberment, and/or paralysis resulting from an accidental bodily injury while participating as a member of a team during a USA Hockey-sanctioned game, official tournament game, controlled scrimmage or practice session involving ice hockey. A member is also covered on an excess basis while traveling, as a team, directly to and from a sanctioned game or official tournament in which their team is scheduled to participate. Coverage for travel to and/or from practice sessions is excluded.

FILING A CLAIM

To report a claim for USA Hockey Excess Accident insurance coverage:

  • File with your primary insurance carrier. If uninsured, disregard this step.
  • Contact K&K Insurance Claims Center at (800) 237-2917 select option 2.

Please report the claim to K&K to get the process started. Contact your program registrar for a claim form and one will be provided to you.

Heads up Hockey

Heads Up, Don’t Duck

January 12, 2001

A Program to Decrease the Risk of Spinal Cord Injuries

Most people do not relate playing ice hockey with spinal cord injuries in the neck — they don’t happen often. But when a severe injury like a spinal cord injury does occur, the question is: What preventive measures could have been taken?

PLAYERS

  • When going into the boards or goal posts, keep your HEADS UP.
  • Do not tuck your chin.
  • If possible, use your hands, arms, shoulders or facemask to cushion the impact.
  • Do NOT check others from behind.

COACHES

  • Teach proper ways to give a body check and to take a check.
  • Do NOT allow players to check from behind.
  • Encourage fair play — The purpose of body checking is to separate the player from the puck, NOT to separate the player from consciousness!
  • Emphasize neck strengthening and flexibility exercises.

PARENTS

  • Make sure your child (and your child’s coach) is aware of these techniques to decrease the risk for neck injuries.
  • Encourage your child to use the HEADS UP technique.

CAN PREVENTION BE EXPECTED?

Prevention is usually possible, and should be the first thought in a player’s mind when entering the rink. Think of the countless hours spent skating, weight training, stretching, competing, and studying the sport, so the player can be prepared when the referee blows the first whistle at the start of the game. Knowing how to protect yourself against spinal cord injury is no different than knowing which goal to score against.

WHAT KIND OF SPINAL CORD INJURY IS CAUSED?

Cervical (neck) spinal cord injuries, though infrequent, can be devastating. These most often occur when a player lowers his head or tucks his chin to his chest, causing the vertebrae (bone segments of the spinal column that surround the spinal cord) to align in a straight line, and then collides head first into either another player, boards, or goal posts. This force (called axial compression) is transmitted to the aligned vertebrae, and, with minimal force, can result in the fracture, or breaking, of one of the cervical vertebrae. When the vertebra fractures, it can cause compression on the spinal cord, and it is this compression that results in paralysis.

It is rare that this injury occurs when the neck is in a normal or neutral position — HEADS UP!

IS THERE ANY TYPE OF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT?

At present, there is no protective equipment that a player can use to prevent a cervical spine injury. Helmets can protect a player from concussions but do not protect against cervical spinal cord injury.

The best form of protection is to be aware of the danger involved and keep your HEAD UP!

Sponsors

  • Massachusetts Medical Society
  • Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA)
  • Massachusetts Hockey
  • New England Ice Skating Managers Association

Produced by the Massachusetts Medical Society in conjunction with Massachusetts Hockey. This information may be duplicated for distribution w/out profit.