WWE Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer Michelle Wilson speaks at a news conference announcing the WWE Network at the 2014 International CES at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on January 8, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The network will launch on Februa (Photo : Getty Images/Ethan Miller/)
Around 50 former wrestlers have taken legal action against World Wrestling Entertainment on July 18.
According to the class action lawsuit filed against WWE, the wrestlers have claimed to have suffered severe brain damage in the ring while fighting. The complaint not only alleges WWE authorities of long-term serious head injuries but also blames the fights for the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. CTE is a neurodegenerative disease that is caused because of repetitive hits to the head.
WWE is not the only sports organization to face a legal action over brain damage issues, CNN reported. Prior to it, the National Football League and the National Hockey League. Some of the wrestlers who have filed the complaint include Jimmy Snuka "Superfly", Paul Orndorff "Mr. Wonderful" and Joseph Laurinaitis "Road Warrior Animal".
The lawsuit stated that the head injury resulted due to "accumulated effect of many impacts to the Plaintiffs' heads" that took place at regular intervals throughout their wrestling career. The complaint alleged WWE of keeping wrestler as contractors rather than employees. The wrestlers said that this was done so that the authorities would not have to pay for injuries of the wrestlers.
"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 claimed.
Unlike other contact sports, WWE matches entail specific moves that are choreographed by the people concerned, Voa News reported regarding the complaint. To the allegations, the WWE said that it is the same attorney who filed complaints against the sports organization even earlier. The cases have filed earlier have been dismissed, though. According to the claims made by WWE, the federal judge has already discovered that the lawyer made fake allegations against the organization.
"We're confident this lawsuit will suffer the same fate as his prior attempts and be dismissed," the sports organization added in its statement.
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