Civil Suit Involves Serious Injury Allegations at a WWE Event
Summary
– WWE has moved to transfer a negligence lawsuit from Connecticut state court to federal court due to jurisdictional issues, as the plaintiff and company are from different states.
– The lawsuit, filed by Florida resident Richard Bryant, alleges severe hearing loss from pyrotechnics at a WWE event.
– The case includes claims of negligence in pyrotechnics handling and unusual details about an unrelated foot injury.
WWE is currently involved in a legal battle that has escalated to the federal courts. The company filed a motion to move a civil lawsuit from the Superior Court of Connecticut to the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. This strategic move is based on the fact that the plaintiff, Richard Bryant, and WWE reside in different states, qualifying the case for federal jurisdiction.
The lawsuit came to light in March from an incident at a WWE Friday Night SmackDown taping in Orlando, Florida, in July 2022. Bryant, a resident of Florida, claims he was seated near the stage when an explosion from the event’s pyrotechnics caused him to suffer nearly complete hearing loss in his right ear. According to the legal documents, the loud explosion allegedly led to a traumatic rupture of Bryant’s right eardrum, bilateral tinnitus, and significant psychological distress.
The filing details allegations of negligence against WWE, accusing the company of failing to warn attendees properly, test equipment, operate safely, and supervise the event staff adequately. These purported lapses in safety measures and operational protocols are central to Bryant’s claim for damages, including a peculiar reference to a foot injury that required crutches and potentially a surgical fusion, suggesting possible inconsistencies or errors in the complaint.
Bryant’s legal team asserts that the injuries sustained are permanent and that he has incurred and will continue to incur medical expenses for treatment. This lawsuit resembles another case in which Marvin Jackson claimed he suffered hearing injuries at WrestleMania 38 in Dallas.
As WWE contends with these legal challenges, the company’s handling of event safety and legal strategies will be closely watched. The move to federal court could significantly influence the proceedings, affecting how the case is argued and resolved. The wrestling community and legal observers alike are keen to see how this lawsuit unfolds and what it might mean for future event safety protocols and litigation against WWE.
