Brad Culpepper is being sued by Fairmont Premier, an insurance company that paid the former NFL player over $175,000 in workers’ compensation due to his numerous disabilities and injuries. Two years after receiving the hefty amount, Brad Culpepper, who is now a personal injury attorney, made a remarkable appearance on CBS’ Survivor, where he took part in some very physical activities. Mr Culpepper claimed that he was on medication while on the reality series, his insurers are not buying the explanation.
Brad Culpepper is not afraid to strip down to his underwear to win a reality series or a lawsuit. This week, Culpepper gave ABC the money shot they were looking for as he was being interviewed about the lawsuit filed against him by Fairmont Premier, a California-based insurance company.
In 2013, Brad Culpepper and his wife, Monica Culpepper, took part in CBS’ Survivor, which was filmed in the Philippines. Culpepper was eliminated after 14 days, while his wife finished second.
The former Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers player was one of the most fierce and fit contestants on the grueling reality competition and took part in numerous activities like lifting heavy crates, diving, canoeing and swimming.
While many were applauding the 46-year-old’s performances, the folks at Fairmont Premier, a California-based insurance company were not laughing.
In 2011, the company paid Brad Culpepper over $175,000 in workers’ compensation for his 89 percent disability rating. At the time, Culpepper told doctors that he suffered numerous injuries while he was playing in the NFL.
The ex-star lineman, explained that he needed help to accomplish some of the most simple tasks like getting in and out of the shower. Culpepper, who is now a wealthy personal injury lawyer living in Tampa, Florida, told his physician:
“I have low back pain and stiffness which is almost always present, I have quite a bit of difficulty… getting into or out of the bath and performing heavy activities around his home.”
Claiming that Culpepper is a fraud and a fake, in July of 2014, the insurers have sued the athlete demanding that he pay back the money and other damages. In court papers filed in Orange County, California, the company stated:
“Defendant Culpepper’s conduct was fraudulent, deceptive and designed to inflate the value of his claim and to take advantage of and abuse the California workers’ compensation system.”
Fairmont Premier also stated that while he was claiming to be disabled, he had taken up mixed martial arts and lied to his doctors. Appearing on ABC, Brad Culpepper said that he was able to take part in the reality series because he was on pain medication.
He said that he does not regret competing in the reality series and added:
“Just because I chose to do things that are contra [sic] to my body, doesn’t mean I’m not in pain, and doesn’t mean I’m not impaired. This whole lawsuit is ludicrous. I’ve worked too hard in my life to have this as a headline.”
During the interview, Culpepper got upset over the allegations and removed his clothes to show his numerous injuries.
Its ass fuc#s like this that make it harder for people that actually have disabilities to get compensation.
SCUMBAG
Not only that, but why should any multimillion dollar paid athlete be allowed to claim disability at the end of their career when they are knowingly involved in a full contact sport, NBA, NFL, boxing,hockey, MMA or whatever? That’s a scam that taxpayers are paying for & they still get a hefty pension!
You couldn’t be more right. I was homeless for 10 years, living outside for 5, waiting to get approval for being legitimately disabled. SO many others are dealing with the same thing.
He gave us years of great performance, I loved watching his athletic performance on the field. However, it came as a personal price to him; at lifetime of pain and suffering. The insurance company should get out of the business of workmen’s comp if their actuaries are stupid enough to provide the coverage for NFL players. Just because he was able to be physical on TV does not dismiss an MD’s determination. Since Brad is now a successful attorney he may end of owning the insurance company for defamation at the end of this case. JMHO.
it was HIS choice to enter into that profession and he made MILLIONS. SO MANY PEOPLE are poor and/or living outside because they are too sick to work. THEY are the ones who should be getting compensated. THIS guy could help out a lot of hurting people, but NO…he just wants more and more!!!!.. better houses and cars, while others are living outside with no food or clothes.
I would like to see him open up homeless shelters to help those who are TRULY hurting. Then I might be sympathetic to the stupidity of choosing his career.
Looking at this guy now and remembering his huge self, back in the day when he was an NFL badass, I must come to the conclusion that he and 98% of the other player’s jockey/are on ‘jockey big-time! He doesn’t even look like the same guy plus he’s shrunk BIG-TIME….gone….look’s more like an ex-jockey?
Being a pain sufferer myself from numerous back and other injuries, I can tell you first hand that I can still do many extreme activities. You get past the pain through the bodies natural pain ignoring mechanisms.
The problem is the “after”, that down time when every nerve and muscle in your body is screaming while you try to rest. Normal life is not possible.
$175,000? Don’t most NFL players makes that much during the opening kickoff?
Workers Compensation is not the same thing as personnal injury insurance. It is supposed to pay to treat your injuries and support you until you are able to hold substantial employment. If they were paying him while he was on Survivor, they may have a claim against him. He was supposed to be unable to work. It doesn’t matter if he was on pain medication.
They did a washout – meaning, they assessed him at MMI and gave him a lump sum to compensate him for the long-term effects of the injuries.
Yes you suffered injuries but you are still able to do normal every day stuff. If you are on Survivor you don’t have access to pain meds. You can’t claim to need assistance getting in and out of the tub, when you can lift and run with a heavy crate.
There are SO many people who receive undeserved disability benefits. THIS is just one of the reasons why “disabled” often has a very negative connotation in this country. My husband is disabled due to severe liver issues and he refused, for over a year, to apply for benefits or stop working, because he was concerned about what others would think of him if he told them he was disabled. That being said, Brad Culpepper may be a “wealthy defense attorney” but he’s also an IDIOT for going on ‘Survivor’- he did this to himself and I have not one single bit of sympathy for him – just another dishonest fool.
white trash with money
whit trash with money
Funny, he can work through the pain when it is conveniant for him. When he has his hand out for the payout his can work through the pain. This is fraud! Any other explaination is bull … It’s this type of people who have destroyed everything for everyone… SCUM
I want to know how this jerk gets California state disability when playing for teams in other states. California is easy to scam? He incompetent cal govt fools, do something for your pay and look into this and stop it
It sickens me when an able body person takes advantage of the system. My back pain is constant and debilitating.
Now the jackhole is a persona injury lawyer aka ambulance chaser? Pretty ironic.
I hope that the insurance company gets all of their money back and has another rating done on his disability.
I actually think the insurance company is going to have a hard time showing that he is not reduced to 11% of his former capacity. If you look at him before the injury and look at him now, he’s a little wispy shadow of his former self.
Also, worker’s compensation is not there to support you until you get back on your feet. That’s what unemployment insurance is for. Worker’s compensation is a no-fault insurance program offered to employers so that they are capped at paying medical bills and lost wages for employees injured on the job. The employees cannot collect damages for paid and suffering, but they also do not have to show that the employer was negligent.
Understanding what this insurance is and how it works is important in order to weigh in on whether or not this fella is going to have to repay the money. I bet he ends up not having to repay it, in light of his physical condition before and his physical condition now. I’m quite sure he was able to do ten times more, for ten times as long, before his injuries.
I meant pain and suffering. Typing too fast.