Tufts University Lacrosse Injuries & Rhabdomyolysis

Student Athlete Exercise Injuries

The news stories concerning the Tufts University men’s lacrosse team are shocking.  More than twenty percent of the student athletes participating in the “workout” required treatment in a hospital emergency room.  At least five were hospitalized overnight.  As of this writing, three students remain in the hospital and have been there for more than a week. The known risks of extreme exertion are well known and colleges have settled lawsuits for allowing college athletes to be injured by dangerous “athletic” activities.

The injuries suffered in the Tufts lacrosse players workout were entirely avoidable.  Exercise injuries, especially severe ones like rhabdomyolysis, can be easily avoided with proper planning, gradual increases in activity and appropriate supervision.  The media reporting of the Tufts lacrosse workout strongly suggests many failures took place, with very severe consequences.

The Tufts lacrosse players impacted by the workout have legal grounds for a Rhabdomyolysis injury lawsuit.  The lawyers at DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens, Ltd., have extensive experience with complex injury and death claims.  Attorney Patrick Barry has successfully litigated a Rhabdomyolysis wrongful death lawsuit for the surviving family of a college student athlete in Rhode Island.  All of the lawyers at DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens, Ltd., are admitted to practice in Massachusetts as well.

College Student Wrongful Death Settlement

Attorney Patrick Barry of DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens, Ltd., successfully represented the mother of a collegiate student-athlete who died as a result of a similar excessive and poorly planned team workout.  The case required extensive investigation, development of opinions and testimony from the best experts in athletics and medicine, and aggressive pursuit of all the facts.  Patrick was able to achieve justice in those unfortunate circumstances, and is ready to do so again.

Overexertion Exercise Risks

Exercise induced rhabdomyolysis, while rare, is very well-known within the sports world.  A number of professional athletes have suffered through significant cases of “rhabdo,” as well as similar athletic injuries including heatstroke, exhaustion and cardiac failure events.  Athletic trainers, coaches, strength and conditioning staff, and other athletic professionals are regularly educated about the risks of inappropriate workouts and the risk of rhabdomyolysis injury.

The dangers of excessive workouts are well-known throughout college athletics.  Groups like the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut have developed the science and advocated for avoiding dangerous and reckless workout sessions.  Overexertion in athletic training programs is a serious health risk.  If rhabdomyolysis develops, the threat is very severe.  “Rhabdo,” as it is called within the athletic community, results in the breakdown of muscle tissue cells that enter into the bloodstream.  This can severely damage the kidneys which cannot clear the muscle proteins effectively.  The process also disrupts blood flow, creating severe effects throughout the body.  Kidney failure and cardiac failure are among the most dangerous and well-known injuries.

Rhabdomyolysis Lawsuit

Legal rights for Rhabdo patients exist.  Collegiate athletes involved in excessive workouts and their families may bring legal claims based in professional negligence.  The athletic and school staff – coaches, trainers and even the college administration itself – all owe a duty of care to the school’s athletes.  Settlements for rhabdomyolysis cases occur when the best lawyers, who should have direct experience with these claims, are involved.

An athlete injured in these circumstances, especially when hospitalized, can expect to encounter large medical bills.  They will likely also encounter lingering effects during recovery and rehabilitation, and many will suffer lasting discomfort.  A rhabdomyolysis injury, when severe and untreated, can also cause very severe injuries like kidney failure and cardiac damage.  Severe rhabdo cases result in permanent damage, disabling injuries and even death.

If you or your student athlete was injured at Tufts, please call or email us.  We are admitted to practice in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts.  Our personal injury lawyers can help.

Rhabdomyolysis FAQs

What you need to know about “Rhabdo”

• Rhabdomyolysis [RAB-doe-my-ALL-osis] is a serious condition in the body that can arise from extreme exertion.  Commonly called “rhabdo” by medical and athletic professionals, this condition causes a breakdown of muscle tissue that releases a damaging protein into the blood.  The protein is called Myoglobin [MY-o-globe-in], which can be toxic and may damage the kidneys and other organs.
• Symptoms include dark, reddish urine, a decreased amount of urine, muscles aches and weakness.  Receiving fluids through a vein can help flush toxins from the blood. Early treatment reduces the risk of kidney damage. Physical therapy may be needed during recovery, and can help strengthen and regain muscle loss.
• If appropriate treatment is not provided in time, or if the process has already progressed to a severe level, permanent injury or even death may result.

What is the most common cause of rhabdomyolysis?

• Overexertion, which generally must be extreme in order to cause true rhabdomyolysis.
• Many people will experience sore muscles from regular activities like yardwork, moving a roomful of furniture, or going on a long hike.  Rhabdomyolysis, however, can cause severe permanent injuries and even death if not treated quickly and correctly.  Unfortunately, this condition often arises as a result of extreme athletic activity that is not properly planned or supervised.

Can drinking a lot of water help rhabdomyolysis?

• Yes, it can.  Proper hydration can help avoid rhabdomyolysis, and drinking a lot of water after activity dilutes the concentration of myoglobin in the bloodstream.  This can help the kidneys clear the dangerous protein.  Still, medical attention is the best approach.

Do you need to go to the ER for rhabdomyolysis?

• In severe cases, YES, absolutely.  Any change in urine color from yellow to shades of brown and red is a clear sign of rhabdomyolysis and needs to be treated medically.  Many athletes experiencing rhabdo collapse during the workout and need immediate medical attention.  Intravenous hydration in a hospital or emergency room setting is often necessary, and can be effective in avoiding serious permanent injuries.  Simply drinking water or other hydration drinks may not be enough.

Can I sue for rhabdomyolysis if it was caused by overexertion during a supervised fitness program or training session?

• YES.  Rhabdomyolysis often occurs in athletic workout sessions, as occurred with the Tufts University Lacrosse team in September of 2024.  In this setting the college, the athletic coaching and training staff, and any other personnel who developed, planned and/or led the fitness program or training session owe what the law recognizes as a “duty of care.”
• When a duty of care exists, it requires that reasonable care be taken in all aspects of the activity, including planning, staffing, execution, supervision, response and the provision of rapid medical care.  When those requirements are not met, it is called a “breach” of the duty of care and forms the basis for a number of legal claims.

What kind of compensation can I seek for rhabdomyolysis-related injuries?

• Compensation in these cases addresses a number of areas of loss and injury.  The civil justice system seeks to address monetary loss including medical expenses (past and future), time out of work, tuition expense if a student athlete misses a semester in recovery, and the like.  In addition, all personal injury claims address compensation for other losses like pain and suffering, disability, mental or emotional distress, permanent injury and loss of activities and future opportunities that may become unattainable in light of the injury.

What is the statute of limitations for filing a rhabdomyolysis-related lawsuit?

• In Massachusetts, where the Tufts University Men’s Lacrosse fiasco occurred, the statute of limitations is three years.  That means any claims or lawsuits must be filed within three years from the date of the workout.  Nonetheless, no injured student athlete and/or their family members should delay action.

What happens if I do not act quickly?

• A risk of “spoliation” of evidence arises if timely action is not taken.  Evidence of all kinds – witnesses, documents, photos, accurate memories, records, plans for the workout, and even appropriate emergency response plans for when injuries do occur – can all disappear over time.  Rapid action is the best approach.

How long does it typically take to resolve a rhabdomyolysis lawsuit?

• It can vary from case to case.  A case like this – involving significant medical and athletic investigation – can take months or years to finish.  Rapid action is generally the best approach, while memories are still fresh and before other evidence may be lost.
• In the Tufts Mens Lacrosse Team incident, however, things might be expected to move fast.  The University has said it will be immediately starting an investigation.  Our firm is following all of these developments closely.  We are ready to file claims as soon as possible.

What should I look for in a lawyer to handle my rhabdomyolysis case?

• Experience and Diligent Attention.  The lawyers at DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens, Ltd., practice complex and catastrophic personal injury law of all types.  This includes medical malpractice, product liability, severe personal injury claims like serious car crashes, “wrongful death” claims of all types, and numerous other cases.
• Attorney Patrick Barry has successfully pursued another college athletics workout case. That unfortunate case involved a young student-athlete that died of rhabdomyolysis and related complications. The case was settled in a seven-figure amount after extensive litigation and full development of the best medical and athletic witnesses.
• All of the lawyers at DeLuca, Weizenbaum, Barry & Revens, Ltd., are admitted in Massachusetts, where the incident occurred, and have long successful records of bringing cases to trial and winning in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Contact us today to discuss the Tufts University lacrosse rhabdomyolysis injuries.