Trial Date Set
Hart
lawsuit trial date set
By IAN WILSON
--
Calgary Sun
The trial date has been
set for the wrongful death lawsuit launched by
the family of Owen Hart against the World
Wrestling Federation.
The civil suit --
which names the WWF, parent company Titan Sports
and WWF chairman Vince McMahon --will go to
trial Feb. 5, 2001 in Kansas City,
Mo.
McMahon's wife, Linda McMahon, who's
also WWF president -- as well as designers,
manufacturers and riggers of the stunt equipment
used by Hart -- are also named as defendants in
the suit.
Hart, known to wrestling fans
as The Blue Blazer, was killed May 23 when he
fell from a cable as he was being lowered into
the ring at a WWF wrestling match in Kansas
City's Kemper Arena.
The 34-year-old fell
more than 21 metres when the release on his
harness opened prematurely.
Hart's widow,
Martha, their two children and his parents,
Helen and Stu, filed the lawsuit in Missouri in
mid-June, listing 46 separate counts against 13
defendants.
The 118-page suit charges
unsafe equipment was used, no proper training
was given and no special precautions were taken
for the stunt, which ended Hart's
life.
It also claims safety was
consciously ignored so wilder stunts could be
done to attract bigger pay TV and ticket
dollars.
Kansas City lawyer Gary C. Robb,
who won $350 million US in a helicopter crash
lawsuit, will represent the Harts.
