Braves file lawsuit against insurance firm

The Braves filed a breach of contract lawsuit against the Hartford Life Insurance Co. seeking $4.82 million for the time Mike Hampton was disabled last season.

The Braves, who also seek interest on the damages, filed the suit last week in U.S. District Court in Atlanta.

According to court documents, Hartford Life issued a policy to the Colorado Rockies in December 2000 after Hampton signed with the team as a free agent. The policy was assigned to the Braves when they acquired Hampton in November 2002.

The policy had an expiration date of Oct. 1, 2005.

However, the suit contends that there was a provision in the policy that it remain in effect if Hampton was “totally disabled” before the expiration date. After being injured in 2005, Hampton missed the entire 2006 and 2007 seasons after two elbow surgeries. The team received payments for those two seasons.

According to the court documents, Hartford Life contends that Hampton was not “totally disabled” before or during the 2008 season.

Hampton injured his pectoral muscle in the bullpen while warming up for what was to be his first start of the 2008 season April 3. Hampton missed the next 117 days, finally coming off the disabled list July 26 and making his first start in 3 1/2 years.

Braves president John Schuerholz declined to comment. “It is a legal matter,” he said. “It will resolve itself.” A spokeswoman for Hartford Life also declined comment.

Hampton, who signed with the Houston Astros during the offseason, missed a day of spring training with an irregular heartbeat.

Staff writer David O’Brien contributed to this article.