Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, is facing a lawsuit from a former member of its wrestling team who alleges he contracted multiple infections from unsanitary wrestling mats.
The complaint, filed on April 6, accuses the university of negligence, alleging it failed to properly sanitize the mats used during team activities.
After seeking medical care, the former wrestler says he left the team on the advice of his physician. He states he was diagnosed with herpes, a staph infection, and impetigo, which he attributes to exposure to the “unsanitary, dangerous, and defective condition of the wrestling mats.”
The lawsuit claims he “has incurred and will incur a lifetime of expenses for medical care and attention,” noting that herpes has no cure. It further alleges the university “had, or should have had, notice and knowledge of the condition of said mats,” but failed to address it.
He says he suffered pain and suffering, including “extreme distress and embarrassment” tied to the physical symptoms associated with the infections.
The complaint states he “received a general shock to his nervous system,” and “has endured and will continue to endure for a long period of time great mental and physical suffering.” It adds that he has been “permanently restricted and deprived of the usual pleasures, pursuits, diversions, joys, and recreations of life.”
Negligence law allows claims when someone fails to take reasonable care and that failure causes harm. Courts look at the risk of harm and whether reasonable steps were taken to prevent it. The lawsuit alleges the wrestling mats were not properly cleaned or maintained, allowing infections to spread among athletes.
According to the complaint, approximately 29 other Sacred Heart University wrestlers are alleged to have experienced similar outbreaks and infections. The wrestler’s attorney said no other students have filed claims with him as of yet.
