Ex-Bucs kicker Tynes’ MRSA lawsuit remanded to state court
In July, the Bucs filed a motion to dismiss Lawrence Tynes’ suit, saying it must be resolved “through the CBA mandatory grievance and arbitration procedures.’’ AMANDA TYNES By Roy Cummings | Tribune Staff Published: September 25, 2015 Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Lawrence Tynes scored a victory on Thursday when his $20 million lawsuit against the team was remanded to state court rather than remaining in federal court.In his suit, Tynes claims he contracted a MRSA infection that ended his NFL career because the team did not maintain the cleanliness of its facility.The team previously had the case moved to federal court, saying Tynes’ suit was “inextricably intertwined” with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the league and its players.But a judge ruled Thursday that Tynes’ lawsuit should be heard in state court because it pertains to how the team maintained its One Buc Place practice facility, which is not addressed in the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.In July, the Bucs filed a motion to dismiss Tynes’ suit, saying it must be resolved “through the CBA mandatory grievance and arbitration procedures.’’ The team’s motion states Tynes claims are “barred by Florida law, which provides that workers’ compensation benefits are the exclusive remedy for the injuries alleged here, which were incurred, if at all, during the course and scope of Tynes’employment.’’Tynes signed with the Bucs as a free agent in 2013, but never kicked for the team after being diagnosed with MRSA shortly after the start of training camp.[email protected]Twitter: @RCummingsTBO
