Tulla GAA Club

Player Injury Policy and Procedure
 

Tulla GAA Club, its Trustees and officers are NOT responsible for any injuries caused or incurred while participating in Gaelic Games.   

It is important that all members, including players, are aware of our policy in respect of injury claims.  The guidelines for making claims under the GAA Injury Benefit Fund are strict and obtaining claims can take time. Please note that the injured player has to pay the medical costs initially, and the GAA Injury Benefit Fund will reimburse these costs to the player thereafter.

This will mean that there will be a time-lag between the player/parent paying the medical bills and being reimbursed. This is beyond the Club’s control and in some instances the delay can be several months.   

Club Membership must be paid annually prior to any participation in training or matches and if not paid you are not eligible to train, play or take part in any games or club activities. Only paid-up members are covered by The GAA Injury Scheme for injury sustained during training or matches.

There is no cover for injuries sustained at unauthorised/unofficial competitions or training sessions.  

Important

It is always recommended that players should have their own personal insurance. The GAA Injury Benefit fund is not an insurance policy. The following extract is taken from GAA Injury Benefit Fund Policy. 

 
The GAA Injury Benefit Fund is a Self-funded benefit fund funded entirely from GAA funds with no outside involvement. The GAA Injury Benefit Fund does not seek to compensate fully for Injuries sustained but to supplement other Schemes such as Personal Accident or Health Insurance.  The playing of our national games involves the risk of Injury and it is each individual registered player’s responsibility to familiarise themselves with the terms and benefits of the GAA Injury Benefit Fund. The Injury Benefit Fund only provides cover for unrecoverable losses up to the limits specified. The responsibility to ensure that adequate cover is in place lies with the individual member and members should not use the fund as their only recourse or be dependent on the fund to compensate them fully for any losses associated with the injury sustained.   

Tulla GAA Team Manager(s) Responsibilities

If the injury is sustained in a game then the Team Manager is responsible for notifying the referee of any injured players immediately after the game. This must be done on the day/evening of the game as referees are instructed not to take details afterwards. Please note that a Referees Report will be required as part of any injury claim to the GAA Injury Benefit Fund.  If the injury is sustained in an Official Training Session, an accompanying letter confirming injury signed by Club Chairman / Secretary is required.  

 

Tulla GAA Player Responsibilities

 
They should IMMEDIATELY inform the Manager AND the Club Secretary (see claims process below). 
 
If medical attention is required, this should be sought immediately. The Club Secretary will keep an ongoing record of all reported incidents. 
 
Once injured, a player must not resume training/matches until fully fit. Returning to active duty prematurely may lead to refusal by the Administrators to pay out for a subsequent related injury. 
 
Any player with Private Health Insurance (VHI etc) who wishes to claim against the GAA Injury Benefit Fund, will initially have to apply for costs under their own Private Policy.   If the private policy covers the claim then that is the end of the matter. However, if there is an excess on the private policy which exceeds the claim, then the GAA Injury Benefit Fund will accept the claim. A statement of account from your Private Insurer outlining their position on the claim will be required if you then wish to claim through the GAA Injury Benefit Fund.   

Claims Process

When injured, players should contact the Club Secretary as soon as possible. Please note there is a 30 day time period within which the Injury must be registered in order for any claim to be eligible for the GAA Injury Benefit Fund.  

Steps to take   

1. Complete the 2 claim forms; Claimants Declaration and Medical Certification No matter what the injury is, these 2 forms must be filled out.   

2. Please hold onto all receipts. Remember, claims cannot be made against invoices, claims can only be made with receipts.   

3. Please remember, emergency attendance at a private hospital is not covered under the GAA Injury Benefit Fund. Expenses such as this can potentially be covered by your own Private Health insurance, if you have such a policy.   

4. The first €100 of each claim is not covered under the GAA Injury Benefit Fund (policy excess), however this excess will be covered by Tulla GAA Club - on finalisation of the GAA Injury Benefit Fund claim process - therefore a player/parent will not be out of pocket.   

Physiotherapy   

Please note that Physiotherapy is NOT covered under the GAA Injury Scheme. 
 
In order to control costs, Tulla GAA will only be able to pay a Maximum of €100 (i.e. 5 visits x €20) for physiotherapy treatment;  - Player must get Managers approval prior to the physiotherapy treatment - Player pays physiotherapy fees upfront - Receipts must be handed in to the Injury Officer/Sectretary within 1 month of finishing treatment - €20 reimbursement will then be progressed.  Please note that the GAA Injury Benefit Fund only covers post-operative physiotherapy, up to a max of €320. The GAA Injury Benefit Fund does not cover general Physio treatment. 
 
Tulla GAA agree to reimburse players G.P. fee/ShannonDoc fee (receipt required) for players injured at either official GAA training/matches, when the Club Secretary has been notified of incident by team management and appropriate receipts are presented to the Club Secretary. The Accident and Emergency Department charge (€100) will be paid in full only where it was deemed necessary to attend A&E directly and only where it cannot be reclaimed from your own insurance.