WWE: Vince McMahon and the company sued by 53 former wrestlers including Jimmy ‘Superfly’ Snuka and Animal over brain damage
The plaintiffs say they suffered concussions and other head trauma in the ring that resulted in long-term brain damage
MORE than 50 former wrestlers are suing the WWE – claiming that the company is responsible for head trauma including concussions suffered in the ring that led to long-term brain damage.
High-profile names such as Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, Joseph "Road Warrior Animal" Laurinaitis, Paul "Mr. Wonderful" Orndorff and Chavo Guerrero Jr are among 53 plaintiffs who have filed suit in federal court in Connecticut against Stamford-based WWE.
The lawsuit says: "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."
The lawsuit also accuses the Stamford, Connecticut-based WWE and chairman Vince McMahon of intentionally classifying wrestlers as "independent contractors" rather than employees, as a means to avoid liability under applicable worker protection laws.
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WWE denies the allegations and called the lawsuit another attempt to hold it liable by a lawyer, Konstantine Kyros, who had two earlier lawsuits dismissed and added that "we're confident this lawsuit will suffer the same fate".
The WWE said a statement: "This is another ridiculous attempt by the same attorney who has previously filed class action lawsuits against WWE, both of which have been dismissed.
"A federal judge has already found that this lawyer made patently false allegations about WWE, and this is more of the same. We're confident this lawsuit will suffer the same fate as his prior attempts and be dismissed."
According to the complaint, Laurinaitis, 55, Snuka, 72, and Orndorff, 66, suffer from cognitive difficulties including headaches, dizziness and memory loss, while Snuka and Orndorff also experience confusion, depression and mood swings.
Other sports organisations such as the NFL and NHL have dealt with similar lawsuits. The NFL agreed to a £750,000 settlement last year.