In the competitive universe of Argentine sport, extreme physical demand goes hand in hand with a latent risk of injuries. However, behind each fall, operation or anticipated withdrawal, there is a legal framework that is not always clear for athletes. From the coverage of the ART to the compensation for disability, Dr. Sandra Laham – specialist in sports labor law – guides this legal journey that seeks to empower and protect those who play their body in each competition.
Art coverage: more than medical assistance
Contrary to popular belief, the coverage of Labor Risk Insurance (ART) is not limited to traditional items: professional athletes are also protected. Any person who provides services under dependency relationship, including athletes hired by teams, clubs or federations, has a legal right to this protection.
Coverage includes specialized medical care, drugs, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and salary compensation during inactivity time. This allows the athlete not only to recover physically but also maintain his economic stability. A common example is that of a footballer who suffers a ligament break: the ART covers surgery, treatment and payment of his salary during recovery.
Denounce the accident: the first step towards protection
Although art is a right, its activation depends on an initial action: the formal complaint of the accident. This procedure must be carried out ideally within 24 hours after the fact, either by the athlete, his employer or his legal representative. The complaint must contain precise details about the injury, place, date, time and witnesses, to allow the art to initiate the coverage protocol.
In case of doubts about how to make this complaint, the accompaniment of a specialized lawyer is key to ensuring that everything is correctly documented.
INPOSISSION INSEMNIZATION: Protect the athlete’s future
When an injury causes permanent disability – whether partial or total – the athlete has the right to compensation that compensates for physical, economic and emotional damage. The calculation depends on variables such as age, income, type of injury and percentage of disability, which must be determined by specialized medical experts.
If the athlete does not agree with the diagnosis, you can request a second opinion or initiate legal actions. Cases such as a basketball player who cannot compete professionally after an injury exemplifies it: he has the right to comprehensive compensation for total disability.
When art rejects: how to defend your rights
Art do not always recognize an injury as work, especially if it occurs outside formal competition. However, training, trips or events linked to sports activity are legally contemplated as part of the athlete’s work. Therefore, in case of unjustified rejection, it is recommended to initiate a formal claim.
A sports labor lawyer can represent the athlete before the ART or the courts, with documentary evidence and legal arguments that demonstrate the professional nature of the injury.
Legal advice: a high performance tool
In the words of the Sandra Laham legal study: “Investment in legal advice is an investment in the professional future and in the personal tranquility of each athlete.” Having specific legal orientation helps prevent conflicts, protecting the body as a work tool and guaranteeing rights to vulnerability situations.
The professionalization of sport also implies the strengthening of legal knowledge: it is not just training, but about acting with information, support and forecast.
By CEDOC
