Davis Law Group, P.S.

Paralyzed Gymnast Sues Time Warner Inc for $1.8 Billion

A gymnast from China, Sang Lan was paralyzed in an accident at the 1998 Goodwill Games and filed a $1.8 billion lawsuit against the formed AOL Time Warner Inc. media and entertainment company.

The lawsuit alleges that the company broke their promises to care for her after her accident. Lan broke her neck during a warm-up vault.

The lawsuit says that she has been unable to obtain necessary treatment for her injuries because the company failed to follow through on promises to make sure her medical bills and other needs were taken care of on behalf of Time Warner. The gymnast’s condition has worsened due to the lack of medical attention.

Time Warner has not commented on this lawsuit.

Lan injured her spinal cord, fractured and dislocated two vertebrae, leaving her paralyzed, after someone walked into the vault area, pushed her off the vault and removed the mat before her land.

The highly publicized incident, attracted celebrities Leonardo DiCaprio, Christopher Reeve and Celine Dion to visit her in the hospital. Al Gore and his family were also visitors of the young star.

Since the spinal cord accident, 29-year-old Lan has become an advocate for the disabled in China.

After the accident in 1998, Lan has experienced major issues in the justice system.

"Living in China for the past 13 years, Ms. Lan was literally unable to sue in an American court or Chinese court," the lawsuit said, noting her restrictive living conditions. "Ms. Lan has been struggling for the past 13 years in China, without proper medical insurance coverage, without a penny compensatory damage for her fatal (sic) permanent injury, without freedom or recourse to seek justice."



Davis Law Group wishes the best to the injured gymnast, and hopes she receives the compensation that she seeks.