A number of ex-wrestlers with World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) have filed a lawsuit against their employer. The former pro wrestlers are seeking damages for head trauma suffered in the wrestling ring. The class action lawsuit names the WWE and the company’s long-time owner Vince McMahon as defendants. The suit was filed in US District Court in Connecticut, with the plaintiffs electing to bring their claim in this particular federal court because the WWE company headquarters are located in Connecticut. One of the plaintiffs, Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, has been in the news in recent months because he currently faces murder charges in connection with a 33-year-old criminal case. According to prosecutors in the homicide case, Snuka killed a former girlfriend. However, a judge recently ruled that Snuka is mentally incompetent and unable to stand trial on the murder charges. That incompetency ruling was handed down after criminal defense attorneys argued that the former professional wrestler had sustained significant head injuries during his wrestling career and was now suffering from extreme dementia. Class Action against the WWE The lawsuit alleges that the WWE placed profits ahead of the health and safety of company employees. Specifically, claim the plaintiffs in the class action, the WWE did not prioritize “wrestlers; health, safety, and financial security,” and as a result the plaintiffs suffered severe injuries and were left “with no recourse to treat their damaged minds and bodies.” Although it is likely that the WWE will claim that the company should be insulated against liability for traumatic head injuries sustained as a result of the wrestlers performing in a contact sport, the lawyers for the plaintiffs have said that pro wrestling is different from other contact sports. In the lawsuit filing, the plaintiffs’ attorneys argued that the wrestlers’ moves were scripted, meaning that “the head trauma that has resulted in injury is the accumulated effect of many impacts to the Plaintiffs’ heads that occurred on a regular, routine basis during their WWE career.” In recent years, other sports leagues have reached settlements with former players suing for brain injuries suffered as a result of participating in those sports. In April 2016, a federal judge upheld a settlement involving retired NFL players and resulting in payments totaling $1 billion. For more information, read the Chicago Tribune article, “Dozens of Wrestlers Sue WWE over CTE, Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries.” If you suffered a serious injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, whether it was while you were driving, while you were working for your employer, or at some other time, you should speak with a qualified personal injury and workers’ compensation lawyer immediately. The experienced NJ and PA personal injury attorneys at Garber Law, P.C. will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us now to schedule a free consultation about your case.
Never backing down from your fight
- Home
- »
- Personal Injury
- »
- Class Action Seeks Damages for Brain Damage, Head Injuries Suffered by WWE Wrestlers
Class Action Seeks Damages for Brain Damage, Head Injuries Suffered by WWE Wrestlers
On Behalf of Garber Law, P.C. | Jul 26, 2016 | Personal Injury
Recent Posts
- Justice After a Loved One’s Wrongful Death in NJ
- The Hidden Costs of Personal Injuries: How to Account for Emotional and Financial Losses in Your Claim
- Catastrophic Injuries in New Jersey: How to Seek Justice for Life-Altering Accidents
- Steps to Take if Insurance Denies Your Car Accident Claim
- Long – Term Effects of Traumatic Injuries: The True Costs of Brain and Spine Injuries
Archives
- April 2025
- March 2025
- February 2025
- January 2025
- December 2024
- November 2024
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- May 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- May 2015
Categories
- Car Accident
- Child Injury
- Construction Accidents
- Criminal Defense
- Drug Crime
- DUI / DWI
- Firm News
- Medical Malpractice
- Motor Vehicle Accident
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
- Personal Injury
- Police Brutality Injury
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Sex Crime
- Slip & Fall Accident
- Traffic Offense
- Train Accident
- Truck Accident
- Workers' Compensation
- Wrongful Death