Rays/MLB

Dodgers file lawsuit against insurance firm

By TIMES WIRES
Published May 24, 2006

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers paid Paul Shuey $3.25-million for the 2004 season, but he did not pitch for them because of injury. Now the Dodgers have sued to get more than half of their money back, charging that Hartford Life Insurance Co. failed to honor the team's claim.

In a suit filed Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the Dodgers asked for $1.7-million in accordance with the insurance policy, plus unspecified punitive damages.

Shuey underwent hip surgery in October 2003. By the next spring, according to the suit, Shuey had not recovered fully, and the Dodgers planned to put him on the disabled list at the start of the season.

In a fielding drill on March 31, 2004 - one day after the policy expired, according to the suit - he tore a tendon in his right thumb. He rehabilitated that injury but could not recover his pitching form, as his hip still bothered him. He required another surgery and never again pitched in the major leagues.

According to the suit, the Dodgers filed a claim, citing Shuey's disability because of the hip injury. Hartford denied it, the suit alleges, citing Shuey's participation in spring training as evidence he was not "totally disabled" under the policy and arguing any subsequent inability to play could be traced to the thumb injury and therefore would not be covered.

Cincinnati activated outfielder Cody Ross from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and optioned right-hander Mike Burns to Triple-A Louisville.

San Francisco placed right-handed reliever Tim Worrell on the 15-day disabled list with a pinched nerve in his neck after he tried to recover with rest. The Giants recalled right-hander Brian Wilson from Triple-A Fresno to take Worrell's spot.

Pittsburgh outfielder Jody Gerut, out all season because of a sore right knee, was shifted to the major league 15-day disabled list in advance of possible surgery.

[Last modified May 24, 2006, 02:45:18]