- Submitted By ZH of WrestleNews.net:
Hart family says WWF negligent
By MIKE MOONEYHAM -- Charleston Post and Courier
Wednesday, June 16, 1999
The family of Owen Hart filed a wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday against the World Wrestling Federation in connection with the professional wrestler's fatal fall during a WWF show in Kansas City, Mo., on May 23.
The lawsuit alleges that the WWF was negligent in failing to provide safe and proper equipment for the stunt. Hart, 34, who was being lowered from the ceiling of Kemper Arena, was preparing to descend into the ring when a quick-release mechanism on the back of a harness he was wearing opened prematurely, dropping him 78 feet to his death. The 118-page lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of Hart's widow, Martha, their two children and his parents, Helen and Stu Hart, lists 46 separate counts against 13 defendants. Among the defendants are the companies that manufactured the harness and cable system used in the stunt as well as the individuals who set up the rigging.
Besides the WWF, defendants include WWF chairman Vince McMahon and the city of Kansas City, owner and operator of the Kemper Arena.
WWF officials declined to comment until they see the lawsuit.
"My children have lost their father, and I have lost the love of my life, because of the greed of the WWF and its insistence that its wrestlers take ever-greater chances to attract entertainment dollars in this era of extreme sports," said Martha Hart. "My hope is that this lawsuit will help prevent more loss of life and that other sports families will not have to endure the kind of pain we've experienced."
The amount of money sought was not disclosed. A Missouri law prohibits the naming of any dollar amount in the petition and, in accordance with that rule, the family's lawsuit simply requests of the jury such damages as are "fair and reasonable."
The lawsuit also claims that the WWF and other defendants should be liable for punitive damages because they consciously ignored and sacrificed safety in favor of risky stunts for the sake of increased ticket sales and cable television viewership.
Hart's widow, who said the WWF is promoting profit at the expense of safety, said she was suing to make sure that no other wrestler is subjected to the same unsafe conditions, and because those responsible for her husband's death should be held accountable.
"Professional wrestling has become a showy display of graphic violence, sexual themes and dangerous stunts," she said.
Police are investigating the death to see whether criminal charges should be filed. The investigation is centered around whether the equipment was appropriate for the stunt, if it was used in the correct manner and whether Hart had been properly trained to use the equipment. Police were seeking advice from professional stunt men.
Besides the police investigation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is checking whether it has jurisdiction to look into Hart's death.
Mrs. Hart also has sharply criticized the WWF for continuing the show after her husband's fall and for airing footage of his funeral on WWF television just hours after the funeral took place.
"I feel exploited and violated by it," she said. "I was completely repulsed by it."
Mrs. Hart claimed she specifically asked WWF boss McMahon not to air any video of the funeral.
"I said it because I dislike their show and (airing the footage) is self-serving. Not only did they disrespect me, they didn't care. Now there's nothing I can do.
"The WWF should be totally denounced for what they did."
Hart Family Sues WWF
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The Unwrapped Undertaker
