CrossFit Lawsuit Update
I was recently notified the workout which allegedly caused the injuries and rhabdomyolysis resulting in Makimbo Mimms’ lawsuit against a CrossFit instructor consisted of the following:
Three rounds of each of the following, performed for 15, then 10, then 5 reps:
- 10 pound dumbbell thrusters (a thruster is a combined squatting and pressing movement)
- Burpees
- Bodyweight Squats
Although injury to the spine and quadriceps is possible if the movements are performed very explosively, I find it unlikely in an otherwise healthy individual with such light weight and body weight exercises. I also have a very hard time believing a healthy, even only moderately fit person would suffer rhabdomyolysis from such an easy workout.
Either Mimms actually did a far more challenging workout than the one listed above, is terribly weak and deconditioned, or was injured doing something else and is trying to make the CrossFit instructor a scapegoat.
I have a woman in her mid 20’s that does thrusters with 15 lbs dumbbells using a strict, controlled speed of movement for higher reps than that, who has never been injured or developed rhabdomyolysis in the process. You’d think an all-Navy wrestler could handle it.
5 Comments to CrossFit Lawsuit Update
When I looked over the lawsuit, and saw the list of ‘injuries’, I suspected fraud. All were injuries that could have resulted from almost anything. But the “rhabdomyoloysis” that supposedly occurred? I had serious doubts.
Then again, maybe it’s time I join a CrossFit gym. My Lawyer’s on speeddial:
http://www.ramseysmatherspa.com/
LarrySeptember 12, 2008
For rhabdomyoloysis to occur from heavy exercise you would normally expect to have very low hydration at the same time.
i am not an expert in law litigation but I have learnt a number of important points in regards to: What is Negligence, What is Duty of Care and What is Reasonable Foreseability my understanding is that regardless of how the injuries come about that the final legal decision will be based upon those three important elements. I strongly suggest that anybody working in the fitness industry look up the “Negligence” dicta of Lord Atkin (1932)in Donoghue v Stevenson. It is difficult to make judgements unless you have all the evidence. Often injuries occur from the “repetitive” nature of work and not form one instance. I think it is important to understand the “cause and effect” relationship of exercise or the risk versus benefit of exercise.
Tom TraynorOctober 15, 2008
Jiminy Crickets! I have two 74 YO lady clients WARM-UP with 10 reps of dumbell thrusters using 18#. Then, somewhere in the workout, we take a “break” by having them full squat a 40# sandbag held in their arms for a minute–about 12-15 reps. I’d like to see this guy(?)….
Wonder if he was on any meds, which may have exaberated the incident?
[...] to a discussion in one of the CrossFit forums, as mentioned in a previous post on the CrossFit Lawsuit here, the workout Mimms alleges caused the injuries was prescribed as [...]
September 8, 2008