Stadium Owners Watching Closely To See If Insurer Fumbles Reggie Bush Claim

San Francisco 49ers running back Reggie Bush reportedly intends to sue the city of St. Louis after slipping on a concrete surface behind the St. Louis Rams' bench during a recent game, injuring his knee and ending his season. If a lawsuit is brought, St. Louis (which owns the Rams' stadium where the injury occurred) likely will look to its liability insurer to pay for its defense and for any damages awarded to Bush at trial. While the insurer may dispute St. Louis's claim, the city has a strong argument for coverage, and stadium owners across the world—who have a duty of care to the hundreds of multi-millionaire professional athletes who compete on their fields and pitches—will be watching closely to see if the insurance company fumbles the claim.

Earlier this year, Bush signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the 49ers. In his 10th year, the 30-year-old is at the tail-end of his career, but a strong season with the 49ers potentially could have put him in contention for another big free-agency contract. For example, in March of this year, then-31-year-old...