Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Sides with Former Philadelphia Eagles Player in Workers’ Comp Case

Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court recently sided with Willig, Williams & Davidson client Emmanuel Acho in a significant workers’ compensation case. Acho, a former player with the Philadelphia Eagles, filed a workers’ comp claim petition in 2018 after he injured his thumb twice during practice sessions and was released from the team shortly after. Although he tried out for other teams, he has not been able to perform up to his pre-injury level. The Eagles filed a petition to terminate benefits for both injuries.

After a workers’ compensation judge awarded partial benefits to Acho, the Eagles appealed, and the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board ruled in favor of Acho. The Eagles then appealed to the Commonwealth Court. Judge Patricia A. McCullough issued a 14-page memorandum ruling in favor of Acho, stating that the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board decision was “free of errors of law and violations of constitutional rights,” and was “supported by substantial evidence and did not arbitrarily or capriciously disregard any competent evidence.”

Willig, Williams & Davidson attorney Michael G. Dryden, who represented Acho, notes the implications of this decision for workers’ compensation in sports: “It is an important decision for professional athletes. [The law] is sort of stacked against them in terms of disability benefits. One hundred percent of professional football players will get hurt some time in their career. Many of the players aren’t as fortunate as Mr. Acho to transition to [another] career like him.”

To learn more, read coverage of the case in the Inquirer, Law360, and PropertyCasualty360 (subscription may be required).