A former University of Iowa football player, who was hospitalized a little over three years ago after a high-intensity workout, has sued the school for negligence.
Plaintiff William Lowe alleged in Johnson County district court that coaches and trainers failed to properly supervise him during the Jan. 20, 2011 workout. He also claimed the school failed to provide medical care after he reported severe pain. Lastly, he claimed the injuries were aggravated because he was required to participate in additional workouts soon thereafter.
Because the school was negligent in “developing and implementing a dangerous improper training program,” Lowe argued that the school should have to pay unspecified damages for the pain and suffering he has allegedly been subjected to.
The incident leading to the litigation occurred on January 20, 2011 when Lowe and other members of the team participated in a “team-sanctioned mandatory intensive workout, focusing on the large lower body muscle groups.”
Lowe alleged that after the workout the group reported “substantial leg pain and stiffness as well as abnormally dark urine.”
Despite these reports, Lowe and “other members of Iowa football team were required to participate in another “team-sanctioned mandatory intensive workout, focusing on the upper body muscle groups.”
The plaintiff further alleged that after taking the weekend, another “team-sanctioned mandatory intensive workout” was held on January 24. After that workout, the plaintiff was hospitalized and allegedly diagnosed with exertional rhabdomyolysis. The condition is defined as the result of muscles breaking down and releasing proteins into the bloodstream, which can cause kidney failure.
Lowe was allegedly released from the hospital Feb. 2. But he allegedly still suffered from weight loss, pain in his lower back and legs, headaches and high blood pressure over the next several months.
The incident led to an internal investigation in which a committee made 10 recommendations. Most notable among them, reportedly, was that the team should shutter that specific workout, and create ways to better identify players who are suffering health complications during workouts and practices.
The committee also cleared the players, trainers and coaches of wrongdoing, after determining that the injuries were unintentional and not the fault of those who designed the workout.
During the course of the investigation in the spring of 2011, Lowe asked for his release for the purposes of transferring from the team.
At the time, he said he wasn’t sure if he would play again.
“I would like to be able to sit out a year, regain my strength, feel fine and play again,” he told the media. “But I don’t know. I am still down 20 pounds and I am having headaches every few days.”
In the lawsuit, Lowe maintained that the incident could have been “avoided through safe and proper athletic training and supervision.”
The lawsuit can be viewed here: http://localtvwqad.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/lowe-vs-state-of-iowa-lawsuit.pdf
