BWC News

Football’s Ravens Ordered to Pay Ohio Workers’ Comp Fine

Ohioans still feeling betrayed by the departure of the former Cleveland Browns for Baltimore might take some small consolation in this news: The Ohio Supreme Court ruled recently that the Baltimore Ravens must pay a $50,000 fine for failing to pay workers’ compensation benefits to five injured players.

The five players – Ricky Bolden, Paul Farren, Mark Harper, Lee Jones and Stacey Hairston – were injured when the team was still playing in Ohio as the Browns. The fine was originally levied more than three years ago for what one review board called "blatant and defiant behavior."

The team contends that the benefits were not needed because the five players were paid their regular salary even while injured and unable to play. Negotiations between the team and the state are ongoing.