WWE Beat Head Trauma Lawsuit Against Former Wrestlers

If your bosses know about certain risks to people in your profession, but they don't tell you about it, you'd probably feel compelled to sue them if and when you got injured. This can apply to anyone -- even professional wrestlers with World Wrestling Entertainment. Unfortunately for two such wrestlers, a judge in Connecticut has dismissed their claims that the WWE knew about the dangers of head trauma and failed to inform them.

Claims of Repeated Concussions

Evan Singleton and "Big Vito" LoGrasso are WWE wrestlers who filed a federal fraud lawsuit against WWE, claiming the organization did not disclose what they knew about the link between concussions and permanent brain damage. To support their claims, the men argued - among other things - that doctors within the WWE knew about the long-term effects of head trauma. They also point to wrestler Chris Benoit who had apparently been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy before killing his wife, child, and himself.

The Judge Sides With WWE

Judge Vanessa Bryant was unconvinced by the wrestlers' claims. She said that the wrestlers failed to present evidence showing that WWE knew about a link between repeated concussions and permanent damage. She also found no compelling evidence that anyone within WWE had read certain books or articles discussing the connection. She even stated that the symptoms caused by concussions are not permanent, but rather tend to only last for a matter of months.

Regarding Benoit, WWE did try to discredit his head trauma diagnosis. However, the judge held that "no reasonable jury could find that WWE concealed the fact of Benoit's diagnosis from LoGrasso." WWE must still face a class-action lawsuit filed by other wrestlers, such as Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka and Joseph "Road Warrior Animal" Laurinaitis. Interestingly, WWE now conducts annual neurological tests on its wrestlers to look for issues such as concussion damage.

Dealing with injuries or the long-term side effects of trauma can take a lot of time, energy, and money. Speak with an attorney to discuss options for seeking compensation from the responsible parties.

Related Resources:

• Find Personal Injury Lawyers in Your Area (FindLaw's Lawyer Directory)
• First Steps in a Personal Injury Claim (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
• Economic Recovery for Accidents and Injuries (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
• WWE Wrestler, Harvard Law Grad David Otunga Wins NY Pro Bono Case (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)