If Student Athletes Are Classified as Employees, Will They Qualify for Workers’ Comp in North Carolina?

Across the country, the question of whether student athletes should be classified as employees is gaining serious legal traction. From court decisions to proposed legislation, the longstanding view that college athletes are “amateurs” is being reexamined, especially as the value they bring to universities and the risks they face grow more evident.

At Ramsay Law Firm, we’re following these developments closely because the outcome could reshape how injured student athletes access medical care, wage replacement, and long-term support under North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system.

Why the Push to Reclassify Student Athletes Matters

Student-athletes have existed in a legal gray area for decades, receiving scholarships and stipends but not being considered employees of the colleges they represent. Athletes who suffer injuries during training, games, or travel typically rely on limited school-provided insurance or out-of-pocket expenses for treatment. They also have no right to wage replacement or disability benefits.

However, recent legal efforts—including a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) memo and lawsuits in several states—argue that student athletes should be classified as employees under federal and state labor laws. If this shift becomes law in North Carolina, it could fundamentally change how injuries are treated and compensated.

What Would Employee Status Mean for Injured Student Athletes?

If student athletes are legally recognized as employees in North Carolina, they could become eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, just like any other employee injured on the job.

This would represent a significant step forward in athlete protection, offering access to:

• Medical benefits: Full coverage for treatment related to injuries sustained during sanctioned practices, games, or related team activities.
• Wage replacement: Temporary total or partial disability benefits for athletes unable to work or return to play.
• Permanent disability benefits: Compensation for long-term or career-ending injuries.
• Vocational rehabilitation: Support for athletes who can no longer play and must pursue a different career path.
• Death benefits: In tragic cases, families of athletes who die as a result of sports-related injuries may receive compensation.

This expanded protection would ensure that student athletes no longer bear the burden of injuries sustained while generating millions for their institutions.

Challenges Ahead: What Still Needs to Happen

While the momentum for employee classification is growing, it’s not yet law in North Carolina. Whether through new legislation or court rulings, student athletes’ legal status must change before they can benefit from workers’ comp coverage.

There will also be challenges related to determining:

• Who the “employer” is, whether the school, athletic department, or the NCAA.
• Whether part-time or seasonal status impacts eligibility.
• How benefits are calculated, especially for students without traditional wages.

Nonetheless, the groundwork is being laid, and athletes, families, and schools must stay informed.

Ramsay Law Firm Is Ready to Fight for Injured Athletes

At Ramsay Law Firm, P.A., we’ve represented injured workers in North Carolina for over 25 years and understand the complex nature of changing employment law. If student athletes are reclassified as employees, they deserve the same injury protections and benefits as any other worker.

Contact our Mecklenburg County workers’ compensation attorneys at Ramsay Law at 704-376-1616 or online for a free consultation today. We’ll help you understand your rights—on or off the field.

A Voice For The Injured.  Here Every Step of The Way.