Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers in Waterford, CT
On January 6, 2026, a judge denied a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) subsidiary, Event Services LLC’s, motion to dismiss a former crew member’s lawsuit. This high-profile case revolves around a severe, life-altering slip-and-fall injury during a SmackDown ring teardown, and fans are eager to learn more.
This landmark ruling is the first of its kind in the industry and could lead to stricter safety measures. The skilled personal injury attorneys at Polito & Harrington LLC could help you discover what happened at the event and why the judge denied WWE’s motion to dismiss this slip and fall case.
Falls at WWE events are not unusual, as numerous wrestlers have fallen during their matches or while entering the stadium. However, Teodoro Troche, a contractor employee of Complete Labor & Staffing, is the first plaintiff to bring forward such an injury case. The crew member claims to have suffered damage to his right hand along with dental injuries during a March 2024 SmackDown event in Uncasville.
Troche allegedly slipped on debris while tearing down the ring as part of the post-show cleanup efforts, striking his face on a ring post and then falling to the ground. He was transported to a regional hospital, where he underwent multiple surgeries, followed by long-term rehabilitation and other necessary treatments. In addition to suffering harm, the plaintiff could be responsible for the costs of medical care due to his injuries, lost wages, and permanent impairment.
Connecticut Superior Court Judge Scott Chadwick denied WWE’s motion, filed in September 2025, to dismiss the suit. The defendant argued that the case should go to the Mohegan Gaming Disputes Court because the injured party’s related claims were already pending there. However, the judge disagreed.
His ruling allows the case to proceed. The lawsuit can now move forward with discovery, the pre-trial phase in which the parties exchange relevant information and gather evidence, to investigate the incident further and examine the facts surrounding the injury.
Troche’s attorney, James Harrington, filed the complaint on May 22, 2025, alleging the WWE subsidiary failed to ensure a safe work environment. The victim claims his injuries were a direct result of the event company’s negligence.
Troche claims the company failed to inspect and clean the arena floor and did not warn workers of potential hazards. He also stated that they wrongfully allowed workers to handle heavy steel equipment within these dangerous conditions.
While Judge Chadwick did deny WWE’s motion to dismiss the slip and fall case, as of today, he has yet to decide on the merits of the case and whether the production company is liable for the plaintiff’s injuries. However, the matter has highlighted the legal scrutiny regarding safety at professional wrestling events for performers, workers, and attendees.
Contact our office to learn more about this landmark case or to discuss your slip and fall accident. At Polito & Harrington LLC, we offer our clients accessibility and personal attention. Connect with a staff member today.
We are committed to provide personalized attention to each and every client’s case – no matter how large or small– because that is each client’s only case. We are proud of our firm’s reputation of combining integrity and compassion with an unflinching dedication to getting the right result. We will do what we say.
