PITTSBURGH — A man injured in a hockey game at a Pittsburgh health club is claiming the club failed to remove a violent player.
Nicholas Venuti filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Christopher A. Sinclair and Olympic Swim and Health Club Inc., alleging battery and negligence.
Venuti alleges in his complaint that he was playing in a hockey game at the Olympic Swim and Health Club on Twin Oak Drive in Pittsburgh on July 19, 2021, the defendants agreed that the game would be governed by rules including no contact and no checking.
Venuti alleges that during the game, Sinclair "performed a violent, illegal and deliberate" slide tackle while playing defense. Specifically, Venuti claims Sinclair threw his body into his legs and caused him to suffer a fractured ankle which required surgery as well as injury to his wrist and caused bruises and contusions.
Venuti alleges in his suit that Sinclair had a reputation of being violent, overly aggressive, hot-tempered and a "dirty player" and has been removed from games at the club due to his conduct in the past. He also alleges the Olympic Swim and Health Club's negligence for allowing a player with a history of "dirty play" to participate in games and for failing to discipline Sinclair and ignoring reports from other players about Sinclair's conduct.
Venuti alleges the club was negligent for failing to timely remove Sinclair or to train its staff regarding safety. He also alleges Sinclair's negligence for performing the move which posed a risk to others.
Venuti seeks monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Christopher Halesey of Woomer & Talarico in Pittsburgh.