gymnast Sang Lan lawsuit (partly) settled

July 13, 2011:

NEW YORK – Former Chinese gymnast Sang Lan, who was paralyzed in a fall at the 1998 Goodwill Games in New York, scored a major victory on Monday after reaching an agreement with three insurance companies and USA Gymnastics.

Under a confidential deal inked on Monday afternoon after a three-hour discussion, TIG Insurance Co, Riverstone Claims Management and TIG Specialty Insurance Solutions agreed to cover future medical and rehabilitation fees for Sang in both the United States and China.

The three insurance firms had previously paid Sang only for fees incurred in the US and not in China …

In the deal, the three insurers agreed to give an undisclosed amount of money to Sang in addition to the insurance she will receive. Both Sang and her lawyer Hai Ming were not allowed to disclose the exact sum.

But the total insurance Sang would be covered for could amount to $10 million …

Despite the deal, Sang implied on Monday that she was not done in her fight for her disability rights, saying that she achieved “half of the complete success” in protecting her rights. …

Hai told reporters on Monday that 12 lawsuits are still in progress against Mo, Liu Guosheng, Xie Xiaohong and 15 people who defamed Sang on the Internet. He said Sang is now seeking $1.2 billion.

read more on China Daily – Sang wins big victory in compensation battle

So, USAG settles out of court setting a precident for future multi-million dollar accident claims. The American way.

Not so. Later I read this on Forbes:

USA Gymnastics said in a statement: “USA Gymnastics was never served in the lawsuit and is being dismissed from the suit. This matter has been resolved through the insurance carriers, and we hope the settlement will assist Sang Lan in the coming years.”

_____ original post from April 29, 2011:

Update from Vanessa Atler who was competing in that meet:

It was 1998 Goodwill Games. One of the most important competitions of my life. I was to compete in the vault and floor finals against my favorite gymnasts in the world. One of them was Sang Lan. I loved that she always seemed happy and very calm.

We were in the beginning of warming up on the vault. Usually each gymnast warms-up some timers for each vault they were performing. Basically just the first half of the vault or the entry part. I know Sang Lan competed a fronthandspring front layout 1/2. She did it so well and beautiful. Usually when you warm-up you do a fronthandspring and over rotate landing on your feet to a forward roll. I saw her over rotate in the air and came off a little high. It looked like she was deciding in the air, should I tuck my head under or land on my face. She tucked her head under and there was just not enough time to make it. All of the coaches knew it right away. …

If anyone is looking for the video of her fall it does not exist. Jack Carter (Kristen Maloney’s coach) was the only one who had it on video. When the media found out they ran over to him and he deleted it right in before they got to him. Good for you Jack! I love that guy.
read more … – From Gymnast to Coach

Brigid McCarthy has the most detailed write-up of this bizarre story:

According to the Wall Street Journal, Chinese gymnast Sang Lan has sued Time Warner and US Gymnastics. After her neck injury, which occurred whilst warming up on vault at the 1998 Goodwill Games, Sang Lan has been paralysed and wheelchair-bound. …

… For those of you who remember the sad event, Lan was performing a timer when she fractured her C6 and C7 vertebrae, resulting in paralysis from the chest down. She stayed in the USA for one year, where she was treated in hospital and then returned to China. …

Couch Gymnast – Sang Lan Files Lawsuit

Certainly she has every right to sue. The amount and the number of years lapsed makes this appear frivolous, however.

I’ve never heard anyone hint that there was any fault on the part of meet organizers. Gymnastics is a dangerous sport.

I’m also surprised in that Sang Lan has been spun by the Chinese media as a ‘good news story’, a TV celebrity and an advocate for the disabled.

Likely her lawyers expect to settle out of court.