Jiu-Jitsu Student Awarded $56 Million After Catastrophic Injury
A student of Jiu-Jitsu has been awarded a staggering $56 million after a training accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. Jack Greener, who is 30 years old, was just a beginner white belt during a sparring session with his instructor, Francisco Iturlardo, a 33-year-old black belt known as “Sinistro.”
This incident occurred in 2018, when Greener suffered a severe injury that shattered his cervical vertebrae, resulting in quadriplegia. Video footage recorded the unfortunate moment, capturing the instructor as he flipped Greener upside down and twisted his head in an awkward manner.
Expert witness Renner Gracie described the incident, stating, “The Black Belt instructor placed his entire weight on his green neck and quickly stepped in, which resulted in the loss of all his limbs.” Following the injury, Greener spent several months in the hospital and experienced multiple strokes due to the trauma. His attorney mentioned that this happened just weeks before he was set to graduate from college.
Greener subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Del Mar Jiu-Jitsu Club in San Diego, arguing that Iturlardo, who had earned the nickname “Sinistro” for his aggressive grappling technique, was responsible for the incident. Information about Iturlardo’s grappling style was noted on a website that offers online education.
Now an inspiring speaker and climber, Greener was initially awarded $46 million in 2023 by a judge in San Diego. However, his lawyers clarified that the total payout has increased to over $56 million when factoring in post-ruling interest.
The Jiu-Jitsu studio challenged this decision by appealing to the California Supreme Court, but the ruling was upheld this week. A state appeals panel had also confirmed the verdict late last year.
Rahul Lavipudi, Greener’s lawyer, emphasized the significance of this ruling, stating it represents a major legal victory for injured athletes throughout California. He noted that it holds sports instructors and facilities accountable for risks beyond what is normally expected in sports.
