Wrestling is where physicality and showmanship combine. As fans cheer the high-flying action and edge-of-your-seat storylines in a place like Atlanta, with so many lovers of the sport, wrestlers face the hard reality of risk every time they step through the ropes. After all, a major injury can occur at any second. However, when it does, you can find an Atlanta personal injury lawyer to be by your side.
Wrestling injuries are often passed off as “part of the job.” In reality, one botched suplex or a trick ladder stunt gone south can leave lasting harm. Whether they’re dealing with a bruiser, a broken bone, or a concussion, wrestlers face the hazards that most athletes do, but they’re compounded thanks to the entertaining element of the profession.
Not every accident occurs within the ring. Tragic car crashes, sketchy conditions at a makeshift venue, and shoddy equipment can leave performers hurting and injured. Less-than-scrupulous wrestling promoters can shrug off their performers as little more than independent contractors, barely giving them a second thought if they get hurt on the job. If that performer also lacks the legal muscle to take action, they will feel like they’re abandoned.
Surely, you could just file a claim with no hassle, right? Wrong. Too often, wrestling promoters, venue owners, and even the companies responsible for manufacturing bad equipment will fight to avoid being held accountable for their negligence.
A personal injury attorney knows how to wage war against those promoters, venue owners, and anyone else looking to stand in the way of you and justice. Avid wrestling fans themselves, understand the risks you undertake and strive for victory. Whether it’s negotiating with an insurance company or securing notable wrestlers as expert testifiers to help your case, they’ll go to bat for you.
Not every type of injury in professional wrestling qualifies as grounds for a lawsuit. Wrestling is a violent and risky activity, and the participants assume a certain level of risk. So, when does it cross the line into negligence? A wrestler performs a high-risk maneuver off the top rope and the buckle snaps from a lack of maintenance that wasn’t previously addressed.
The wrestler sustains serious injuries and must be taken to a medical facility for treatment. They are out of work and can’t make income. It’s hard to hold wrestling companies and promoters accountable, and if wrestlers don’t have other sources of income or medical insurance, it can be financially devastating. This is where a good lawyer can prove negligence, enter arbitration, and make sure the wrestler receives the compensation they deserve.
Whether in the ring or out, take pictures and notes. Photograph your injury, the equipment that caused your injury, and the circumstances surrounding the injury. If you have to go to a medical facility, save all documentation from your visit (including the bill!) and keep a detailed file with all your notes and information from the wrestling company.
The wrestling company or insurance company will try to settle quickly outside of court for significantly less than what the victim is entitled to. Don’t sign anything until you meet with a lawyer, who makes sure the offer is fair and in line with the damage you sustained.
Lawyers help so the wrestlers can focus on what is most important: their careers and bodies. A wrestler can focus on recovery and getting back to doing what they love. Let a professional figure out all the legal stuff on their end.
Home to some of the best wrestling talent, independent and major alike, Atlanta personal injury lawyers know how unique the wrestling industry can be. The landscape is intense, so the legal recourse needed to stay involved can be complex. Having years of experience protecting the careers and reputations of their clients, the top Atlanta lawyers are unafraid of the pressure and drive of the industry.
Many also work with top medical professionals in Atlanta to use a combination of experience and facts to determine damages from an injury. Great Atlanta personal injury lawyers represent their clients as athletes with careers to protect and the passion that backs it up.
You can't tell what can happen in wrestling. Thankfully, you’re not alone in handling the aftermath if there is an injury. When you consult with an Atlanta personal injury lawyer, you’ll be equipped to tackle any issues that arise and protect your professional wrestling career in the process. If life throws an injury into the ring, make sure you have someone in your corner who knows how to go the distance.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!