53 Wrestlers Sue WWE For Concealing the Dangers of CTE

Alexis Evans — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 20:31:11 +0000

"Nostalgia in the ring" Courtesy of [Xander Hieken via Flickr]

More than 50 retired professional wrestlers are suing the WWE and its CEO, Vince McMahon, in hopes of proving the repeated head injuries they sustained while in the ring are linked to CTE, the progressive degenerative brain disease that has been commonly found in athletes who have experienced repeated concussions.

The 214-page lawsuit filed Monday in the U.S. District Court of Connecticut claims that the company is responsible for their long-term neurological damage and alleges that the WWE “fraudulently misrepresented and concealed” the dangers of these injuries.

More than 50 pro wrestlers file lawsuit against WWE over alleged head injuries: https://t.co/2nwkqxGWIa pic.twitter.com/B4NMNbZxRi

— Complex (@ComplexMag) July 19, 2016

The lawsuit states:

The WWE knows that its wrestlers are at great risk for these diseases such as CTE that can result in suicide, drug abuse and violent behavior that pose a danger to not only the athletes themselves but also their families and community, yet the WWE does nothing to warn, educate or provide treatment to them.

The lawsuit also states that the WWE and McMahon failed to provide proper medical treatment for these injuries, writing:

Instead of upholding its duty to its employees, WWE placed corporate gain over its wrestlers’ health, safety, and financial security, choosing to leave the Plaintiffs severely injured and with no recourse to treat their damaged minds and bodies. WWE refused to provide health insurance to its employees, employee benefits, and payments to Social Security.

Among the 53 former male and female wrestlers suing the WWE are wrestling hall of famers “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Ordndorff, “Road Warrior Animal” Joseph Laurinaitis, and Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka. Notably, Snuka was recently ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial for the 1983 murder of his then-girlfriend, Nancy Argentino. His defense attorneys successfully argued that Snuka suffers from dementia partially caused from repeated head trauma sustained during his career in the ring.

CTE, which is short for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, can result in loss of memory, difficulty controlling impulsive or erratic behavior, impaired judgment, behavioral disturbances including aggression and depression, difficulty with balance, and a gradual onset of dementia.

The WWE released the following statement in response to the lawsuit:

This is another ridiculous attempt by the same attorney who has previously filed class-action lawsuits against WWE, both of which have been dismissed.

Konstantine Kyros, a member legal team that brought the suit against the WWE, responded to the company’s statement saying:

It has been the studied practice of WWE through its counsel to denigrate the motives and integrity of anyone who is courageous enough to protest WWE’s self-serving choice to ignore the human toll and health crisis that its policies, fraud, and mistreatment of its workers have created.

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post 53 Wrestlers Sue WWE For Concealing the Dangers of CTE appeared first on Law Street.

Miguel Finally Sued for Dangerous Performance Disaster

Alexis Evans — Thu, 07 May 2015 20:07:25 +0000

Image courtesy of [Leonardo Pallotta via Flickr]

Nearly two years ago to the day R&B artist Miguel shocked viewers of the 2013 Billboard Music Awards when his foot came crashing down on two unsuspecting female fans during a performance of his hit song “Adorn.” The singer had decided to take a rockstar-worthy leap from one part of the stage to another across a pit of screaming fans, despite having reportedly only practiced the dangerous maneuver twice before the show. Now Miguel may finally be facing legal consequences for the kick, after reports have surfaced that one of the two girls injured during the accident plans to sue.

Watch his infamous leap come up short in the clip below.

Just in case you somehow managed to blink right as his crotch landed on one of the girls, here it is again for good measure in all its gif glory.

According to TMZ, Cindy Tsai is suing Miguel and the MGM Grand Hotel for negligence, claiming she took the brunt of Miguel’s ill fated leap when he landed on top of her head. She’s seeking damages to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Somehow I’m not convinced Tsai suffered “the brunt” of Miguel’s force seeing as the other woman involved, Khyati Shah, was rumored to have suffered brain damage from the kick to her head. Shah opted not to take legal action. However, that call may have had something to do with this post accident-interview where she met Miguel with smiles claiming she “adorns him.”

Miguel has repeatedly apologized for the incident, but this might just be one mistake he’ll never be able to live down. Both Miguel and the MGM Grand Hotel haven’t had any comments for the media regarding the incident, but there’s a big possibility both may end up having to pay big for the botched choreography.

Alexis Evans

The post Miguel Finally Sued for Dangerous Performance Disaster appeared first on Law Street.

Brain Damage – Law Street

53 Wrestlers Sue WWE For Concealing the Dangers of CTE

Miguel Finally Sued for Dangerous Performance Disaster