Monster Energy Being Asked To Pay For Sarah Burke’s $550,000 Hospital Bill, Fans Offer Money Instead

Sarah Burke tragically passed away this week after suffering injuries during a skiing event that eventually slipped the world class athlete into a coma. Now pressure is quickly mounting against Monster Energy drink, the events sponsor, the cover the $550,000 worth of medical expenses her family is left to deal with.

Burke suffered her injuries at Eagle Superpipe at Park City Mountain Resort in Utah on Jan. 10. while competing in a Monster Energy drink event.

In most sports if an athlete is hurt it’s the responsibility of their team to pay for expenses. For example in the NFL if a Chicago Bear quarterback is injured a team doctor examines them, performs necessary procedures or refers them to a specialist which is also paid for by the team in question. However individual sports don’t afford the same luxury.

I however would argue that Monster Energy was Burke’s team, after all her performance and all outcomes at the event benefited or detracted from the Monster Energy brand.

I’m apparently not the only person that feels this way, Canadian Olympian Marnie McBean tweeted:

“Why isn’t @MonsterEnergy paying #SarahBurke’s medical bill? Where’s their insurance & support now?”

That was just one of hundreds of messages found on Twitter and Facebook that voice outrage over the company’s inability to pay the skiiers bill. It begs the question, did Monster Energy not secure insurance for the event?

If Monster Energy did not have insurance why not? For example the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association carries insurance for all CFSA events, ensuring that skiiers are not stuck with $550,000 hospital bills.

In the meantime a donation website for the skiier has raised $125,000 to date. On the website supporters posted the following message:

“Please consider helping them cover the enormous cost of Sarah’s recent medical care and to provide for other arrangements by donating,” while adding, “Your support in their greatest time of need will be gratefully appreciated and forever remembered.”

Do you think Monster Energy should pony up the cash to pay for the medical expenses since the tragedy happened at a Monster Energy sponsored event?