Jiu-Jitsu Student Who Was Paralyzed from Neck Down by Black-Belt Instructor Awarded $56 Million in Court
He was awarded $56 million in court after the jiu-jitsu studio appealed a 2023 verdict
Greener's cervical vertebrae was crushed when his instructor placed his full body weight on himA California man has been awarded $56 million after he was left paralyzed from the neck down by his jiu-jitsu instructor.
Jack Greener suffered the life-changing spinal cord injury at Del Mar Jiu-Jitsu Club in 2018 when he sought out the help of instructor Francisco Iturralde, a second-degree black belt also known as "Sinistro." Then a 23-year-old beginner white belt, Greener was sparring with Iturralde, 33, when his cervical vertebrae was crushed, according to NBC and CBS.
Greener's injury happened when the instructor placed his full body weight on the student, ultimately rendering him quadriplegic, per CBS. He spent several months in the hospital and reportedly suffered multiple strokes during treatment, his attorneys told the outlet.
A 2023 trial that lasted weeks awarded Greener, now 30, $46,475,112.33 in damages. The defendants appealed, but the California Supreme Court declined to overturn the verdict on Tuesday, June 3 and the amount now exceeds $56 million after post-judgment interest.
At the time, Greener was set to graduate from college just weeks after the injury and was pursuing a career as a professional surf instructor, his attorneys told CBS.
In a video shared on YouTube in 2022, Greener recalled the incident. "When it occured, the first thought that came to mind was, 'I'm going to be okay,' and then the second thought was, 'Oh s---, I can't move.' "
Iturralde, who began practicing jiu-jitsu at 13, is known for his "dynamic, aggressive grappling style," according to his Digitsu biography. His style "earned him the nickname 'Sinistro,' meaning 'Sinister,' " his bio reads.
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According to NBC, the jury determined Iturralde's actions "unreasonably increased the risks" to his student "beyond those inherent in Brazilian jiu-jitsu" and that instructors may be held liable for "negligent conduct."
Rahul Ravipudi, one of Greener's attorneys, praised the final ruling in a statement to NBC and said it "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."
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