Post by manibusoptime on Jul 30, 2019 8:47:17 GMT -8
I am a highly active and strong athlete. I am a national gymnastics champion and a professional performer. After saving up for classes for months, I started classes at a local BJJ studio.. I was very excited and was giving 110% in every class, always following instructions, making safety a number one priority, and doing my absolute best. About a month into my training, I was rolling with the instructor, a brown belt and the owner of the gym; as a very new white belt, most of my rolling sessions involved my partner instructing me, talking me through things, and going at a slow and easy pace. This time, however, when I went to practice a move that we had learned that day, some sort of hip throw, and so I planted my right foot behind my instructor’s right leg and was attempting the maneuver as best as my 5’3” self could. Then, out of nowhere and with no warning, my well-over 6-foot tall instructor suddenly and aggressively threw me to the ground in a twisting motion. My foot was still planted behind him, and a sickening pop made everyone in the class stop and stare at me. I was lying on the ground holding my knee, and the instructor asked if I was okay. I said no, something is very, very wrong. He had someone get me ice, but didn’t offer to call 911, drive me somewhere, or even fill out an incident report. I limped out of class with the ice strapped to my knee and drove myself home. Later, after the MRI, I learned the devastating news that my ACL was torn and I was going to need reconstructive surgery. I told the owner of my situation and requested that the rest of my membership for that month be refunded as I wouldn’t be able to attend classes, and he flatly refused. I employed a lawyer to help me talk to his business’ insurance company to help cover my nearing $4,000 and ever increasing medical bills.
They sent me a refusal with the instructor’s statement; he told them I tripped. I tripped and tore my perfectly healthy ACL. I have been engaged in strenuous sports since I was a child, and not once have I broken a bone or had any serious injuries. I am a smart, cautious, and dedicated athlete, and this injury was devastating to my career and my life. My lawyer says that the next step is to file a lawsuit. I hate the U.S.’s sue-happy culture, and I strongly believe in taking ownership of your actions. I also would like to continue to learn BJJ - after I am healed and at a different studio of course - and am afraid of being labeled by the community as someone who can’t handle the sport or that other studios won’t want to have me train there. I am seeking guidance from those more experienced in the sport, and in life. I am drowning in these medical expenses, but I still want to do the right thing. Please advise.
They sent me a refusal with the instructor’s statement; he told them I tripped. I tripped and tore my perfectly healthy ACL. I have been engaged in strenuous sports since I was a child, and not once have I broken a bone or had any serious injuries. I am a smart, cautious, and dedicated athlete, and this injury was devastating to my career and my life. My lawyer says that the next step is to file a lawsuit. I hate the U.S.’s sue-happy culture, and I strongly believe in taking ownership of your actions. I also would like to continue to learn BJJ - after I am healed and at a different studio of course - and am afraid of being labeled by the community as someone who can’t handle the sport or that other studios won’t want to have me train there. I am seeking guidance from those more experienced in the sport, and in life. I am drowning in these medical expenses, but I still want to do the right thing. Please advise.
