Brad Culpepper - Former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Brad Culpepper has been sued by his insurers for participating in Survivor even though he claims disability and has collected over $100,000 in compensation.
Brad Culpepper is being sued by Fairmount Premier. The California-based company says Culpepper told doctors that he suffered from "low back pain and stiffness which is almost always present," and made everything difficult.
Culpepper, a graduate of University of Florida, who played nine seasons in the NFL, reportedly also complained of injuries on his head and knee as well as problems with his vision.
Brad Culpepper had received $175,000 in workers' compensation for his injury two years before he appeared on the CBS reality show in 2013 with his wife Monica.
After watching Culpepper performing physically challenging tasks in the reality series, including, swimming, paddling canoes and lifting heavy crates, his insurers came to the conclusion that he is "exquisitely fit and conditioned and not disabled."
They say he "willfully and deceptively provided false information" to the medical professionals who examined him.
However, 46-year-old Brad Culpepper, now a personal injury attorney, says the suit against him is "ludicrous." He explained that he was on medication when he appeared on the show.
"I was on medication, and I had a back procedure right before that," he said. "Just because I chose to do things that are contra [sic] to my body, doesn't mean I'm not in pain, and doesn't mean I'm not impaired."
The lawsuit, which was filed in Orange County, California, in July reads "Culpepper's conduct was fraudulent, deceptive and designed to inflate the value of his claim and to take advantage of and abuse the California workers' compensation system."
Brad Culpepper's is very upset with the suit and on Thursday during an interview with ABC's Brian Ross, he explained his position. "I've worked too hard in my life to have this as a headline," he said.
Monica Culpepper says her husband's legal woes are her fault. She claims that after appearing on the Survivor as a solo contestant, producers told her to invite her Brad if she wanted to compete again.
"I 100 percent wish I had never asked him to be on the show," Monica Culpepper said. "For all that he's going through right now and being this insurance company's target, is not worth it."
Brad Culpeper came 15th on Survivors and was voted off after only 15 days, while Monica ended as a runner-up.
