Stafon Johnson expected to file lawsuit against USC


Former USC tailback Stafon Johnson will file a lawsuit against USC 16 months after suffering a severe throat injury during a weightlifting accident, according to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times.

Johnson’s attorney has called a press conference for Monday to announce the filing of a personal injury lawsuit against the school.

Carl Douglas told Klein that the lawsuit will seek unspecified damages from USC, as well as Jamie Yanchar, a former assistant strength and conditioning coach at USC who was present at the time of Johnson’s accident.

Yanchar now works in a similar capacity for the Seattle Seahawks.

In September of 2009, Johnson dropped a barrel on himself while bench pressing in USC’s weight room, causing serious injuries to his throat, and leading him to be hospitalized for approximately three weeks. He missed the remainder of the season.

The Los Angeles native was signed as a free agent by the Tennessee Titans following last April’s NFL Draft, but an ankle injury sustained in a preseason game ended his rookie season. He was relegated to the practice squad as a result.

Both Johnson and the university have yet to comment about the lawsuit.

6 replies
  1. Reed
    Reed says:

    I doubt this is Johnson himself wanting revenge or money from USC for what happened. Most likely his insurance company is forcing the lawsuit to recoup medical expenses. He probably hates that its happening, and is forced not to talk about it by lawyers.

    • RU Serious
      RU Serious says:

      Huh??? Insurance companies are fully able and willing to sue on their own behalf. You are giving Stafon too much credit.

  2. Marguerite
    Marguerite says:

    Interesting that he only felt like suing after he got relegated to the Titans practice squad. Sounds like he needs to sue whoever caused his ankle injury LOL.

  3. Jason
    Jason says:

    I highly doubt that the kid is actually dumb enough not to know how to lift a 275-lb weight. Especially in a manner that would crush his larynx. It is far more likely that he was pushed to do something he wasn’t comfortable with by coaches that always demand more for their ‘no. 1.’ team. Sadly, this doesn’t change much – We won’t ever be able to know the truth, the contracts the kid signed will push all the liability on him, USC will do its USC thing and not address it, we students will continue to assume that if the school is silent, it must be innocent and the other party (be it Johnson or the NCAA) is at fault.

    • Curious Jorge
      Curious Jorge says:

      Ever hear of accidents? Stafon and his attorney will have an uphill battle proving USC was negligent, but not for any conspiracy theory that you are suggesting.

  4. Rich Salas
    Rich Salas says:

    Assumed risk should enter here. How is it anyone elses fault that you dropped a bar on your throat? I love Stephan, but he has been trained how to lift safely in the weight room. I dont understand this suit.

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