Back in 2015, more than 50 former wrestlers and performers filed suit against the WEE, alleging that it hid the risk of brain trauma and failed to offer wrestlers necessary medical attention and support. The suit alleged that the former wrestlers suffer from long-term brain damage and the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, known as CTE, the Alzheimer’s-like neurodegenerative disease related to repeated hits to the head. The wrestler’s claimed that the WWE knew about the potential for brain injury, and was not only negligent …
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Connecticut Federal Court Denies WWE’s Motion for Summary Judgement Over Lengthy Briefs
A Connecticut Federal Judge has denied World Wresting Entertainment, Inc.’s motion for summary judgment regarding two former wrestlers’ claims that the long-term injuries associated with repeated head traumas were hidden from them, as both sides submitted briefs that were too long.
As background, former WWE wrestlers, Evan Singleton and Vito LoGrasso sued the WWE in January 2015 for the WWE’s alleged concealment of the long-term health risks associated with repeated head injuries, and further, mislead wrestlers into performing while injured — worsening their injuries.…
Continue ReadingPlaintiffs in Concussion Suit Respond to WWE, Inc. Sanctions Motions
Earlier this month, attorneys for World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) were accused of filing “abusive” sanctions motions against plaintiffs’ attorneys in a class action lawsuit centering on wrestler’s injuries sustained from concussions. The accusations involve a set of interrogatories, signed by plaintiffs’ attorney Konstantine Kyros, where two of the plaintiffs allegedly claimed to have knowledge of fraud by the WWE. Attorneys for the WWE, however, contend that this information directly contradicts previous deposition testimony, where the plaintiffs claimed not to have knowledge of purported WWE …
Continue ReadingGetting Tossed Around: Second Circuit Dismisses Premature Appeal in WWE Concussion Lawsuit
On September 27, 2016, the Second Circuit dismissed a former WWE wrestler’s appeal, reasoning that the appeal needed to wait until he and the other wrestlers suing the WWE handle their claims in district court. The attempted appeal arose out of a lawsuit against the WWE for allegedly hiding the risks of traumatic brain injuries.
Back in May, William Albert Haynes III told the Second Circuit that he had the right to appeal the district court’s dismissal of his claims. Haynes argued that a …
Continue ReadingEscaping the Chokehold: Former WWE Wrestlers Seeking to Withdraw Admission Statements in Brain Injury Lawsuit
On Monday, September 12, 2016, former WWE wrestlers Evan Singleton and Vito Lograsso argued in a Connecticut federal court that their “slightly delayed service” in response to the WWE’s request for admission should not preclude them from withdrawing statements regarding when they first became aware of the risk of concussion injuries.
While the wrestlers’ argument is that the WWE withheld vital information with regards to the health dangers of repeated concussions, the WWE’s response is that the suit is time-barred; the WWE insists that the …
Continue ReadingWWE Rings the Bell Again, Asks Judge to Throw More Brain-Injury Claims Out
On Thursday, September 8, 2016, World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. requested that a Connecticut federal judge preemptively disallow four former professional wrestlers from bringing any claims relating to brain injuries spawning from their times working to the entertainment company. According to the WWE, the latest round of ex-pro wrestlers can’t bring such claims because they are timebarred. Connecticut has a three year statute of limitations for any general tort claim; as well, it recognizes a two year statutory time period for potential plaintiffs to bring suit …
Continue Reading“Buff” Bagwell Sues WWE for Royalties
Former professional wrestler Marcus “Buff” Bagwell sued World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE) on Tuesday, August 9, alleging Bagwell and other wrestlers were denied royalties by WWE. Specifically, the proposed class action suit claims WWE sold pay-per-view content and matches through the WWE Network, a Netflix-type streaming service for fans, and breached contracts with the wrestlers by not paying royalties.
Bagwell claims his World Championship Wrestling (WCW) contract stated he would receive royalties for pay-per-view videos he appeared in through video cassettes, discs, and CD-ROMs, as …
Continue ReadingWWE Seeks to ‘Knock-Out’ Final Remnants of Concussion Suit
As was recently affirmed, in the WWE’s concussion saga there only remain lawsuits by former professional wrestlers claiming the WWE committed fraud by failing to inform its athletes of the dangers of concussions and other brain trauma. Now, the WWE seeks to toss those remaining suits in a motion for summary judgement urging a Connecticut federal court to dismiss the allegations and end the legal battle.
On August 1, 2016 the WWE moved for summary judgement on the final remaining claim — fraud — …
Continue ReadingConnecticut Federal Court Reaffirms ‘Smack Down’ of Concussion Suit Against the WWE
On July 21, 2016 Connecticut Federal Judge Vanessa L. Bryant handed down a partial win for the World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. in the concussion lawsuit against them. Specifically, the judge denied the ex-wrestlers motion to reconsider the previously dismissed complaints that the WWE fraudulently handled the risk of concussions with their athletes.
This case stemmed from a consolidated class action by many former wrestlers alleging fraud by omission when the WWE knew of the risk of concussions and failed to do anything about it. Particularly, …
Continue ReadingRoundhouse Kick: WWE Slammed with Lawsuit over Head Trauma Injuries
Dozens of former World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE) wrestlers have locked the WWE and its chairman, Vince McMahon, in a legal chokehold, alleging that the WWE failed to protect the wrestlers from the risks of repetitive head injury. On Monday, July 18, 2016, over fifty (50) wrestlers joined in filing a class action lawsuit with the federal court in New Haven, Connecticut. The WWE is the latest professional sports organization to face head trauma litigation, joining the NFL and NHL
The complaint alleges that the …
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