Ex-USC LB Morgan Breslin sues school over disability insurance
Former USC linebacker Morgan Breslin is suing the university.
According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Breslin claims that school officials “guided him in purchasing” a disability insurance policy that has provided “inadequate coverage” for an injury.
Breslin, 24, played for the Trojans in 2012 and 2013, filed the suit Friday alleging “breach of contract, fraud and both intentional and negligent interference with prospective economic relations.” He was injured in USC’s game at Arizona State on Sept. 28, 2013 (you know, the one that got Lane Kiffin fired).
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He says the injury prevented him from pursuing a professional football career.
From the Daily News:
Breslin was designated an exceptional student athlete for the 2013-14 season as part of an NCAA program that encourages athletes to stay in school and complete their degree program while being offered the chance to buy disability insurance, the suit states.
An insurance broker known to USC for offering quotes for athletic insurance policies proposed to the university staff in January 2013 that Breslin obtain a policy through AmTrust at Lloyd’s, according to his court papers.
“Contrary to the representations of USC and its underwriters, the issuer of the disability policy Breslin purchased ... is now taking the position that the policy is void,” the suit states.
The suit says “USC employees falsely led Breslin to believe” that the policy would protect him if he suffered a career-ending injury.
From the Daily News:
The university staff went so far as to advise him how to fill out the forms to obtain the policy, according to the complaint.
“USC controls all communications between insurers offering athletic insurance policies and the student athlete who will buy the policy,” the suit states. “This is done through USC’s Compliance Department and the training and medical staff.”
USC did not tell the underwriters about Breslin’s injury and did not inform the plaintiff they had not done so, the suit states.
“USC has the responsibility to explain the risks and benefits of athletic insurance policies to the student athlete,” the suit states.
The suit says Breslin filed a claim in May 2014, but it was denied.
The school has yet to comment on the lawsuit.
For more USC news, visit TrojanSports.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
