Former Pro Wrestlers Sue WWE Over Injury Causing Concussions

Two former professional wrestlers have sued the WWE accusing them of “selling violence” while ignoring concussions, which they say, have left them with serious brain injuries.

According to an Associated Press news report, the men, including one who performed under the name Skull Von Krush, have filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court in Philadelphia similar to thousands of lawsuits pending against the NFL.

Litigation against the NFL is expected to result in a $1 billion settlement if a judge approves a proposed deal.

Long-term Brain Damage

The plaintiffs, identified as 50-year-old Vito LoGrasso and 22-year-old Evan Singleton, allege that WWE has subjected its wrestlers “to extreme physical brutality” in the guise of providing entertainment, and that it knew or should have known that wrestlers could suffer long-term, irreversible bodily damage including brain injuries.

Singleton said he is disabled due to brain trauma. LoGrasso said he suffers from migraines, memory loss, depression and deafness after nearly a decade with WWE.

A lawyer representing WWE has said that the lawsuit is meritless. He said WWE has never hid any medical information related to concussions or otherwise from its performers.

In fact, the attorney stated that WWE was among the first organizations to implement concussion management procedures and policies as a precautionary measure as science and research on this issue emerged.

Danger of Concussions

A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury. More than three million concussions occur each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Emergency departments treat approximately 135,000 sports- and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, among children ages 5 to 18.

Recent research has shown that concussions, which are usually classified as mild brain injuries, can have long-term consequences such as memory loss, behavioral issues and dementia. In addition to sports, concussions are also commonly caused by traumatic events such as car accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle collisions and slip-and-fall accidents.

If you have suffered a concussion or a traumatic brain injury as a result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, please remember that you do have legal rights. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities and pain and suffering.

Our California brain injury attorneys understand the emotional and financial burdens placed on victims and their families.

If you or a loved one has been injured, please contact a skilled lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.