California Appeals Court Upholds $46.5M Verdict in Jiu-Jitsu Sparring Injury Case
On January 2, 2025, a California state appeals court upheld a $46.5 million jury verdict against a Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor, accused of causing severe injuries to a student during a sparring session. The court confirmed that the trial court had properly instructed the jury on the assumption of risk involved in the martial art. The decision followed intense legal debates around the responsibilities and liabilities of sports instructors. The plaintiff suffered catastrophic injuries which the lawsuit alleged were a result of the instructor’s actions. The court’s scrutiny centered on whether the student had adequately assumed … Read more