On an overcast June 6, James Chapman was competing in a Spartan Race at Toro County Park, an 8-mile dash full of mud, water and obstacles. Three miles into the race, the 25-year-old from Reno, Nevada came to the top of a 10-foot hill at the base of which stood a muddy pool of water.
Amped by the cheering spectators and the rush of adrenaline brought on by competition, Chapman dove head first into what was not much more than a large muddy puddle. His head struck the bottom, breaking two vertebrae and leaving him permanently paralyzed from the neck down.
To enter a Spartan Race, all participants must sign a waiver releasing liability from Spartan Race and its sponsors. The first clause of the waiver is: “The risk of serious injury and/or death from the activities involved… is significant.”
“These injuries happen quite often at these events and there is a responsibility for event coordinators to safeguard people from harm,” says Mohammad “Mike” Kazerouni, Chapman’s attorney. “I don’t think people are signing up for these races to get killed or injured.”
Kazerouni filed a lawsuit on Feb. 1 against Spartan Race; its sponsors, Reebok and NBC Universal; and Monterey County for the injuries Chapman sustained. Complaints include gross negligence, negligent hiring and dangerous condition of public property.
The suit, filed in Monterey County Superior Court, claims there was nothing identifying the hazards presented by many of the obstacles, specifically signs warning contestants not to dive into the shallow pool.
“Spartan Races are for the general masses, for weekend warriors. The race should take greater caution,” says Charles “Tony” Piccuta, who participated in the Spartan Race at Toro Park the day Chapman was injured. Piccuta is a personal injury lawyer based in Monterey, but did not comment on the specifics of the case. “There’s no instruction on how to tackle obstacles. I can see why someone approaching a body of water would think they could just dive into it.”
The negligent hiring claim refers to two staff members stationed 10 to 20 feet from the muddy pool Chapman dove into. The suit claims they did not take notice of his injury until a spectator pointed out there was something wrong.
A spokesperson for Spartan Race refused to comment on the Chapman case or, more generally, the dangers presented in their races.
The accident happened a year after Chapman graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in chemical engineering. A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for his medical costs says Chapman was a CrossFit enthusiast and a star high school athlete who set a school record in pole vault and twice won the state championship for wrestling.
For someone with such an active background who traveled to Monterey with friends to take part in an event he’s participated in before, Kazerouni says, the results are devastating.
“He’s struggling, but he just finished an eight-week rehab,” Kazerouni says. “He’s still trying to adjust to his new circumstances.”
(6) comments
I am taken back by all these comments and couldn't disagree more. First, how about the Spartan race taking steps to make sure the participants are safe. If the water is shallow, maybe they should put some signs up that say "Shallow Water, No Diving" or a sign that says "Danger! Shallow Water." I don't think it is crazy for someone to dive into a pool of water. There are only two ways of going in--feet first or head first. After all, a previous poster said she saw it at a Spartan race so I suppose it happens regularly. I have participated in four Spartan races and I can attest that they are horribly organized and that the workers/volunteers have no clue as to what is going on.
Second, Spartan race is not some anti-establishment organization. This is big corporate with Reebok and NBC Universal as sponsors. The events are even televised. This is for profit and these companies should take steps to make sure the consumers who they profit from are as safe as reasonably possible.
Third, just because Spartan makes you sign some ridiculous waiver, giving the rights to your first born child, does not necessarily mean that the waiver is enforceable. Specifically, a waiver that attempts to release a party from its, his or her gross negligence may not be enforceable because it could be deemed in violation of public policy.
I am an attorney who practices personal injury so perhaps I am biased. I felt so strongly about this story that I posted about it on my blog in length and also explained why a waiver may not be enforceable. If you are interested, you can read it at http://www.piccutalaw.com/that-waiver-you-signed-may-not-mean-you-wave-goodbye-to-your-right-to-sue-part-1-of-2/
I hope that James Chapman receives a fair result. That is not for you or me to decide, but for a jury who listens to and considers all the evidence.
This kid is a degenerate. He dives head first into a body of water and wants to steal from a business because he is not only foolish but cowardly enough not to take responsibility for diving head first in a unknown body of water. People like him are what hurts and dismantles what put great nation once stood for .. earning it, and being responsible for your own actions.
I'm sorry to hear this man paralyzed himself. Part of the grieving process is to blame others for what has happrned to them. I am a mud racer myself and never jump into a body of water. I would never jump into a creek, river, pool or pond without knowing the waters depth. It's common sense, sorry. I was taught this as a child and enter into all obstacles at Spartan races with extreme caution because I know you can be hurt just competing cautiously. I've been injured from falling off a 10 ft wall, swinging from a rope across a pit ( which I fell into and that didn't hurt ) and have a chronic issue with my IT band flaring up and causing pain. It's a sport. Some would say it's and "extreme " sport but either way you take risks and that's part of the rush. AROO.
Prayers for a speedy recovery to the fullest extent. This is a sad story! But I have to question, if he has done the races before then he knows the dangers of the depths of the water. Spartan shouldn't be sued for lack of common sense. I listened to the announcer say so many times at the beast in South Carolina "do not dive in the water is shallow" and the first guy dove right into the water!! When signing up for these races you put yourself at risk to die. You push yourself past breaking points & do things you would NEVER do in a normal day of living. Spartan race does not push you, you push yourself! Hopefully people can learn from this tragedy.
I am really sorry to hear this man's story. Unfortunately, there are waivers participants sign and caution is urged. Anyone who has participated in a spartan race is familiar with the muddy water and know it is not and deeper than the waist, at most. Plus, who dives head first into unknown, muddy water. I wish this man the best and will pray for him.
It's literally the guys own fault, it's sad yes. But he made a really stupid and careless decision on his own.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.