US jiu-jitsu student awarded $56 million after being paralysed by black-belt instructor
(Also read: Paralysed woman in China exposes husband who fled with ₹3.5 crore after abusing and deceiving her)
The incident occurred in 2018 at the Del Mar Jiu Jitsu Club in San Diego, where then-30-year-old Jack Greener, a beginner white belt, was sparring with his instructor, Francisco Iturralde, a 33-year-old second-degree black belt known by the nickname 'Sinistro'.
Greener's injuries were the result of a manoeuvre during the training session, which video footage later showed caused his neck to twist unnaturally. He was on all fours when Iturralde flipped him forward, forcing him face-down and compressing his neck.
'The black belt instructor did a technique that placed his entire body weight on Greener's neck, causing him to instantly fall limp and lose all function of his limbs,' explained Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Rener Gracie, who testified as an expert witness during the case.
The impact crushed Greener's cervical vertebrae, rendering him a quadriplegic. He was hospitalised for months, suffering several strokes as a result of the trauma — all just weeks before he was scheduled to graduate from university.
Greener filed a lawsuit against the jiu-jitsu studio, holding both the facility and Iturralde — who gained fame for his 'dynamic, aggressive grappling style' — responsible for the life-altering injury.
As per the outlet, in 2023, a San Diego jury awarded Greener $46 million. The studio appealed the verdict, taking the case to the California Supreme Court, which this week declined to overturn the decision. A state appellate panel had previously affirmed the judgment late last year. With post-judgment interest, the total compensation has now surpassed $56 million, Greener's legal team confirmed.
'The final appellate court's ruling cements a critical legal victory not only for our client, but also for injured athletes across California by reaffirming that sports instructors and facilities may be held accountable when they unreasonably increase risks beyond those inherent in the sport,' said Rahul Ravipudi, one of Greener's attorneys.
(Also read: Indian-origin student Bandna Bhatti paralysed after tragic fall at UC Berkeley: 'She faces a difficult…')
Now a motivational speaker and mountain climber, Greener continues to inspire others while raising awareness about safety and accountability in sports training.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
23 minutes ago
- Hans India
Supreme Court agrees to hear Maha govt's plea against acquittal in 2006 Mumbai train blasts case
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on July 24 the Maharashtra government's plea challenging the Bombay High Court decision to acquit 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai agreed to urgently list the matter for hearing on Thursday, after Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta mentioned it. Seeking an urgent hearing on the state government's special leave petition (SLP), SG Mehta said that it was a 'serious matter' requiring the top court's consideration on 'some important issues'. In a major ruling delivered on Monday, the Bombay High Court acquitted 12 accused, of whom five were on death sentence and seven others on life imprisonment, in the July 11, 2006, Mumbai blast case. Directing their immediate release from jail, the acquittal order passed by a bench of Justices Anil Kilor and S. Chandak came as a major blow to the investigation agencies. The Justice Kilor-led Bench castigated the shoddy probe prosecution, opining that the prosecution failed to even establish the type of bombs used in the crime. The 12 accused -- incarcerated for 19 years -- succeeded in establishing before the Bombay High Court the fact of torture inflicted on them to extort confessional statements. As a result, it held the statements inadmissible, saying, "On all the tests relating to voluntariness and truthfulness of the confessional statements, the prosecution failed." Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the Bombay High Court verdict as "shocking", saying that the Maharashtra government will move the Supreme Court against it. On July 11, 2006, seven bomb serial blasts in packed Mumbai local trains brought the maximum city to its knees within 11 minutes. The terror attack left 189 dead and over 800 injured. Earlier in 2015, a special court convicted 12 individuals in the case, sentencing five -- Faisal Shaikh, Asif Khan, Kamal Ansari, Ehtesham Siddiqui, and Naveed Khan -- to death, while the remaining seven were given life imprisonment. The prosecution had argued that the attack was planned by Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, and carried out by operatives of Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba with help from the Students' Islamic Movement of India, a banned Indian group.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Bollywood couple's $4 million scam duped over 100 in Texas property deals
"We're watching you.' That's the message US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been sending for months to undocumented immigrants with pending criminal charges. But a celebrity couple from India—well known for their stage performances and social media presence—appeared to believe their public profile would shield them. They were wrong. ICE in June 2025 detained Sidhartha 'Sammy' Mukherjee, husband of Bollywood singer Sunita Mukherjee, in connection with a $4 million (approximately Rs 34.5 crore) real estate fraud targeting members of the Indian-American community in North Texas. Business Standard confirmed through ICE's Online Detainee Locator System that Mukherjee is currently being held at the Prairieland Detention Centre. He was taken into custody just weeks after being released on a $500,000 bond in a felony theft case. His wife, Sunita, was also charged. The Mukherjees were once familiar faces in Dallas-area cultural events, known for Bollywood-style performances and lavish parties. But behind the glamour, investigators allege, was a scheme that duped over 100 people with fake property investment deals. The case began unfolding in 2023 when Euless Police Detective Brian Brennan opened an inquiry after a couple reported losing $325,000. What followed was a trail of forged contracts, receipts, and emails purporting to be linked to city-backed housing projects. When Brennan contacted the Dallas Housing Authority (DHA), they denied any such projects or partnerships. The arrest affidavit described all documentation provided by the Mukherjees as forged. 'All fake,' Brennan told CBS. 'It had to be a full-time job for him to do that.' How the fraud spread and who was targeted According to the affidavit reviewed by CBS, the couple allegedly ran a multi-pronged scam involving phoney firms, fabricated payrolls, and pandemic-era PPP loans. In one case, Sammy denied recognising several employee names listed on a PPP loan application. Investigators later found the identities were fictitious. The couple also reportedly targeted elderly victims using threatening emails to coerce payments under false claims of pending arrest. Some victims were told they owed law enforcement money. When questioned, Mukherjee claimed the deposits were for a hotel project funded by a deceased associate. Officials did not believe the explanation. What the victims said 'They will make you believe that they are very successful businesspeople,' Terry Parvaga, one of the alleged victims told CBC. 'But they will take every single penny you have.' Forensic accountants later identified at least 20 confirmed victims, with more than 100 individuals possibly affected. Brennan described Sammy as 'probably the most prolific fraudster I've seen' in his 23-year career. Public image, arrest and what next Despite the ongoing investigation, the Mukherjees maintained an active public image. In May 2024, they hosted a high-profile charity event featuring a Bollywood celebrity and the mayor of Plano. CBS found that the nonprofit organising the event was registered to the couple's home—the same house where they were arrested weeks later. The FBI is now leading the probe. There are concerns that funds may have been moved into crypto assets or hidden abroad. The couple filed for bankruptcy last year. ICE took Sammy Mukherjee into custody shortly after his release on bond of $500,000. According to CBS, the couple had entered the US seeking asylum. Their immigration status is still unclear. Some victims have submitted documents suggesting Mukherjee may also be wanted for fraud in Mumbai. Dozens of victims are now left chasing both justice and restitution. Investigators have warned that much of the money may already be gone. 'I think it's gone,' Brennan said. 'I think they've spent it on cars, their house, and in just living expenses.' Trump's crackdown The case emerges amid a renewed immigration crackdown under US President Donald Trump, who has vowed to remove undocumented immigrants, particularly those with pending criminal charges. ICE has already deported nearly 150,00 individuals since January, including around 70,000 with criminal convictions. But, many of these offenses were minor- traffic violations or immigration related infractions, CBS News reported.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Maharashtra ATS Challenges Mumbai Train Blasts Acquittals In Top Court
The Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad has moved the Supreme Court to challenge a controversial Bombay High Court decision that acquitted all twelve individuals convicted in the devastating 2006 Mumbai train bombings. The apex court has scheduled the matter for hearing on July 24, marking a critical juncture in one of India's most significant terrorism cases. Chief Justice BR Gavai will lead a three-judge bench alongside Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria to examine the appeal. The urgent listing came after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Maharashtra ATS, emphasized the matter's gravity and requested expedited proceedings. The Bombay High Court's recent verdict completely overturned the trial court's 2009 judgment that had imposed death sentences on five accused individuals and life imprisonment on seven others. The original convictions stemmed from their alleged involvement in orchestrating and executing the coordinated bomb attacks that targeted Mumbai's Western Railway network on July 11, 2006. Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak, forming the division bench, delivered a scathing assessment of the prosecution's case, declaring that investigators had "utterly failed" to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The court expressed difficulty in believing that the accused had actually committed the crimes they were charged with. The High Court raised serious concerns about the investigation methods employed, specifically highlighting allegations of torture against ATS officials. The judges observed that investigators appeared to be operating under intense pressure to produce quick results following the attacks, potentially compromising the integrity of the evidence-gathering process. This judicial criticism deals a devastating blow to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad's investigation, which had maintained strong connections between the accused and the banned Students' Islamic Movement of India. The ATS had built its case around claims that the suspects had collaborated with Pakistani operatives from Lashkar-e-Taiba to orchestrate the deadly attack. The tragic incident remains etched in Mumbai's collective memory as one of the most horrific terrorist strikes in Indian history. Within a terrifying eleven-minute span, seven explosive devices detonated across the Western Railway's suburban train network, claiming 189 innocent lives and leaving more than 800 people injured. The coordinated nature of the attacks and their impact on ordinary commuters made this one of the deadliest terror incidents the country has witnessed. The acquittal verdict has sparked significant debate about the quality of terrorism investigations and the pressure law enforcement agencies face to deliver swift justice in high-profile cases. Legal experts have noted that the High Court's observations about torture allegations and investigative shortcomings raise broader questions about procedural safeguards in terrorism prosecutions. As the Supreme Court prepares to examine this contentious appeal, the outcome will likely have far-reaching implications for how terrorism cases are investigated and prosecuted in India. The hearing represents a crucial moment for both the victims' families, who have waited nearly two decades for justice, and the legal system's credibility in handling complex terrorism cases. The case's journey through various judicial levels reflects the challenges inherent in prosecuting terrorism-related offenses while maintaining due process standards and ensuring that convictions are based on solid, untainted evidence rather than investigative pressure or public sentiment.
