Estate of former WWE wrestler files head injury lawsuit

The estate of another former WWE wrestler has filed a lawsuit against the organization.  The mother and son of Matt Osborne (aka “Matt Borne” and “Doink the Clown”) have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company for the alleged negligent and fraudulent mistreatment of Osborne while he was a wrestler with the company.

The Osborne lawsuit was filed on June 26^th in the U.S. District Court for the North District of Texas, Dallas Division.  The Dallas Morning News covered the lawsuit.  Osborne died in 2013 of a painkiller overdose at the age of 57 in Plano, Texas.  The family claims brain injuries caused while a professional wrestler caused depression and drug abuse which led to his death.

The WWE, utilizing the same public relations strategy as in similar lawsuits, claims that the lawyers are the ones driving these lawsuits pegging the attorneys as opportunists.  The WWE indicates that the Osborne lawsuit is merely seeking “NFL money” in reference to the NFL concussion lawsuits which likely will result in settlements for those involved.

In a similar lawsuit, Billy Jack Haynes’ case against the WWE that was filed in Oregon has been transferred to Connecticut upon motion by the WWE on the basis that he signed WWE booking contracts which indicated that the forum of choice was the home state of the WWE.

Payout Perspective:

Osborne spent limited time in the WWE throughout his wrestling career which may make his claim hard to prove.  However, it does not negate the alleged negligence that the WWE may have contributed to his injuries.  The complaint points out specific instances where Osborne was injured during his stint in the WWE.  It also claims the WWE knew and/or knew but did not warn him about the perils of head injuries.  Notably, the complaint has a similar template as other lawsuits filed by former WWE wrestlers.  However, at least one part of the lengthy complaint has been updated to include a photograph embedded in paragraph 139 of the complaint which shows the WWE is taking precautionary steps with its talent now with helmets used in training.

This lawsuit may be moved to Connecticut like Haynes’ lawsuit as one might infer that Osborne signed a WWE contract with a forum selection clause which would dictate where a lawsuit would take place if one should happen.  We will see if more wrestlers continue to file lawsuits which appear to be similar to the NFL and NHL concussion litigation.