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Report: Former Stars defenseman Rome sues NHL, insurance company

Colorado Avalanche v Dallas Stars

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 27: Aaron Rome #27 of the Dallas Stars skates off the ice during pregame warmup before taking on the Colorado Avalanche at American Airlines Center on January 27, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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Former NHL defenseman Aaron Rome has sued the league and his insurance company, according to a report in the Dallas Morning News.

The report states that Rome is seeking compensation after a “career-ending” hip injury while he was with the Dallas Stars. Rome, who also spent time in Anaheim, Columbus and Vancouver, hasn’t played an NHL regular season game since April of 2014.

From the Dallas Morning News:

Rome then made a claim for disability benefits from HCC Life Insurance Co., but was denied. He alleges that the insurance adjuster assigned to handle his claim was not licensed in Texas and withheld documents he needed to appeal the claim.

It’s unclear how much money Rome is seeking or whether he is eligible for disability benefits.

A copy of the NHL’s benefits guide included in the lawsuit says players will receive a lump sum if they suffer a career-ending disability, ranging from $200,000 to $1 million depending on their age. But it also says cumulative injuries do not count.

The Stars signed Rome as a free agent to a three-year contract worth a total of $4.5 million in July of 2012.

They later used one of their compliance buyouts on Rome, who at the time had one year remaining on his deal with Dallas.

In two seasons with the Stars, Rome played 52 games with a total of six assists. For his career, Rome played in 226 NHL games, reaching a career-high 10 points in 43 games with Vancouver in the 2011-12 season.

In the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, Rome was suspended four games for a high, late hit on Boston Bruins forward Nathan Horton.