William Person, a Bobsledder, Sues USA Skelton for Brain Injuries


A former bobsleigh filed a class action lawsuit Wednesday against the sport’s national governing body, alleging that the organization had failed to warn or protect athletes from brain injuries for decades.

William Person, who competed for the United States from 1999 to 2007, filed a lawsuit in a California state court against USA Bobsled and Skeleton, the organization that governs these two sports in the United States.

In the lawsuit, Person’s lawyers argued that the bobsleigh organization knew in 1983 that the sport could cause serious brain injuries, which could lead to serious and irreversible medical conditions, but did not properly share this information with its athletes or did not work well enough. protect their health and safety.

The person and their lawyers have asked the court to approve a group of plaintiffs who will seek damages from US Bobsled and Skeleton. They wanted this compensation to include a fund to be paid for intensive medical monitoring of former athletes, as well as the establishment of a “Court-Controlled Compensation program for people who have already been diagnosed, treated or injured (including death). with brain damage, including neurodegenerative and behavioral disorders and diseases.

A spokesperson for US Bobsled and Skeleton said Wednesday afternoon that authorities had just received the complaint and are “investigating”.

In a statement released by his attorney, Person said: “The number of bobsleigh athletes I’ve trained and competed with are currently dealing with brain injuries in our bobsleigh. Individuals who are tremendous competitors and athletes live with depression, dementia, and some take their own lives.”

The person is represented by Jason Luckasevic, a Pittsburgh attorney who was involved in some of the early lawsuits against the NFL in connection with the treatment of players, who was later found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy, also known as a CTE. and serious traumatic brain injuries. The lawsuit eventually led to a $1 billion settlement with the league.

In March, a leading neuropathologist and director of Boston University’s CTE Center, Dr. Ann McKee discovered that Pavle Jovanovic, a former Olympic bobsleigh who killed herself last year, had the disease in CTE McKee’s previously donated brains. deceased football players

Jovanovic hanged himself at his family’s metal workshop in New Jersey in May 2020, after suffering years of substance abuse, symptoms such as Parkinson’s-related uncontrollable tremors, and mood disorders. He was 43 years old.

Later that year, The New York Times ran a series of stories about former sled and skeleton athletes struggling with similar symptoms. Jovanovic was the third elite North American sled to kill himself since 2013. In 2017, Steven Holcomb, who piloted the American sledge known as the “Night Train” to the 2010 Olympic gold medal, was found dead on Lake Placid, New York. obvious overdose of alcohol and sleeping pills.

In recent years, an increasing number of current and retired athletes in gliding sports said they are chronically suffering from many of the same conditions that plague football players and other contact sports athletes. They deal with constant headaches, increased sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises, forgetfulness, and psychological problems.

Aron McGuire, CEO of USA Bobsled and Skeleton, said last year that the organization “takes athlete safety very seriously.” We are aware that there are risks inherent in all sports. When it comes to injuries, including brain injuries, we prioritize education and prevention.”

Officials said the organization uses the latest science, technology and protocols to monitor the health of its athletes and seeks to connect with former participants in the sport.

“We are actively working to expand our alumni database and strengthen our relationships with former athletes,” McGuire said. “Our athletes are important to us beyond their athletic careers. We want them to be involved and to seek help if needed.”



Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *