When are injury settlements most commonly reached?

Injury settlements are most commonly reached at the end of preseason because this timeframe allows both players and teams to reassess their status and needs for the upcoming season. After training camps and preseason games, teams evaluate their rosters and the health of players. If a player has sustained an injury and is unlikely to contribute during the regular season, the team may seek to negotiate a settlement rather than carry that player on the roster. This can be beneficial for both parties: the player receives immediate compensation and can begin to address their recovery without the pressure of roster decisions, while the team can free up space and resources for healthier players.

Reaching settlements right after injuries occur typically isn't practical, as both the severity of the injury and the extent of recovery can be uncertain immediately following the incident. Mid-season settlements may occur, but they are generally less common because the dynamics of player contracts and team needs are different during the regular season. Lastly, settlements at the conclusion of the playoff season are rare because teams are generally focused on roster decisions for the next season rather than resolving past injuries.