You Are Not Alone in the Locker Room
When a sixteen-year-old child signs a professional contract, it should be the pinnacle of a young life. It is supposed to be the start of a dream, protected by the very institution that profit from that child’s talent. But in Salt Lake City, Utah, a former player has come forward with a story that reveals a different reality — one where the locker room became a hunting ground for what the law defines as sexualized hazing and abuse.
We represent people who have been failed by the institutions that were supposed to be their guardians. We know that behind the “traditions” and “bonding games” often lies criminal conduct. If you or your child has experienced this kind of systemic targeting in a professional or collegiate sports environment, the first thing you need to know is that the law sees you as a victim, not a participant.
A $100 million lawsuit has been filed against Real Salt Lake (Utah Soccer, LLC) and Major League Soccer, alleging that veteran players and a coach subjected a minor to non-consensual sexualized conduct. The details are harrowing: being hit with balls while unclothed and being forced to endure comments and exposure of anatomy. When this conduct leads a young person to attempt to take their own life and terminates a multi-million-dollar professional career, the legal system provides a path for accountability that reaches all the way to the top of the corporate structure.
The Legal Reality of Hazing in Utah
Utah does not treat hazing as a prank or a locker room rite of passage. It is a specific violation of safety standards that creates direct civil liability. Under the law of this state, an institution that allows a culture of silence to protect abusers is just as responsible as the individuals who committed the acts.
“A person is guilty of hazing if that person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly commits an act or causes another to commit an act that… involves the use of force… or other physical activity that creates a substantial risk of physical or mental harm.” — Utah Code § 76-5-107.5.
In a civil courtroom, we use this statute to establish “Negligence Per Se.” This means that because the conduct violated a safety law designed to protect people exactly like the victim, the breach of duty is proven by the violation itself. The question then shifts from “was this wrong?” to “how much did this destroy?”
When a professional sports team integrates a sixteen-year-old minor into an adult environment, they carry a heightened standard of care. They are required to provide adult supervision and professional standards. A failure to implement anti-hazing protocols is not just a policy error; it is a direct cause of the trauma that follows.
Can a Professional Team Be Held Liable for Player Conduct?
Real Salt Lake and MLS will likely argue that the players were acting on their own or that the conduct was “outside the scope of employment.” We know the internal defense manual because we have seen it from the inside. They will try to distance the corporate balance sheet from the locker room reality.
But the law of vicarious liability and negligent supervision tells a different story. If the team knew or should have known that these “games” were happening — especially if a coach was present or involved — the team is directly responsible. Furthermore, the wrongful death claim lawyer specialists on our team understand that when an institution’s negligence leads to a suicide attempt, that institution carries the weight of the life-altering consequences.
We look at the power dynamics. A veteran player has immense social and professional power over a teenager. When a coach like Ignacio Hernandez is named in a suit, it suggests a complete collapse of the chain of command. The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and SafeSport Authorization Act of 2017 imposes federal reporting requirements on these organizations. A failure to report these incidents to the proper authorities is a violation of federal standards that we use to prove institutional betrayal.
Calculating the Value of a Stolen Career
The $100 million figure in this lawsuit is a strategic anchor for a case of this magnitude. In Salt Lake County, where juries are protective of minors and family values, the actual case value is driven by two heavy engines: economic loss and punitive damages.
- Lost Earning Capacity: The plaintiff was the youngest player ever signed by Real Salt Lake. He was a homegrown talent with the potential for a fifteen-year professional career, including potential transfers to international leagues. Our forensic economists calculate the “total loss of earning capacity” based on what a player of his caliber would have earned in the MLS and beyond. This alone can reach deep into the millions.
- Psychological Trauma: Chronic PTSD, the trauma of a suicide attempt, and the loss of enjoyment of life are catastrophic non-economic damages. These are not “soft” numbers. They represent the literal cost of psychiatric care and the human cost of a dream being replaced by a nightmare.
- Punitive Damages: This is the most dangerous part for the team. Punitive damages are meant to punish a defendant for a culture that allowed the targeting of a child. Juries use these awards to send a message that “locker room culture” is not a defense for sexualized abuse.
Based on the egregious nature of these allegations, a realistic case value range falls between $5,000,000 and $35,000,000. While a $100M demand is the starting point, high-value settlements often occur just before trial to avoid the public exposure of internal investigations.
The Evidence Clock: Why We Must Act Now
In a professional sports environment, evidence has a way of becoming “unavailable.” The proof of a hazing “game” often lives in places the team controls. We move to freeze this evidence the moment we are hired.
- Internal Investigation Reports: We demand any SafeSport or RSL internal HR investigations conducted in 2021 and 2022. These are critical for proving that the team had “notice” of the problem.
- Locker Room Access Logs: Digital logs show which coaches and veterans were present during the alleged incidents. These logs are often purged after one to two years.
- Cell Phone Forensics: The “games” are often filmed or discussed in group texts. We work to secure the devices of the named players before data can be wiped or phones replaced.
- Medical and Therapy Records: We use these to document the direct link between the hazing and the suicide attempt. This timeline is the spine of the causation argument.
If you are a parent of a minor athlete, you should review our parents guide to child injury lawsuits to understand how to protect your child’s legal rights while they are still in a high-pressure environment.
The Defense Playbook: Inoculating Your Case
The insurance lawyers for the teams will not play fair. They will run a “scorched earth” defense that tries to blame the victim for his own trauma. Here are the three plays they are likely preparing, and how we counter them:
- The “Locker Room Prank” Play: They will argue this was just “teasing” or a “joke.” We counter this by using the medical definition of sexual trauma and the Utah hazing statute. A “joke” that involves a minor’s genitals is not a joke; it is a crime.
- The “Delayed Reporting” Play: They will ask why it took years to file. We use expert testimony to explain that delayed disclosure is the standard symptom of trauma, especially when a child’s entire career depends on staying silent.
- The “He Moved On” Play: They will point to the plaintiff’s musician career to argue he isn’t damaged. We show the jury that he was forced into that career because his primary path — his soccer career — was destroyed.
We represent people who have suffered brain injuries and psychological trauma, and we know how to explain to a jury that a person can look “fine” on social media while being fundamentally broken on the inside.
Our Trial Team for Utah Cases
We are a trial firm that takes catastrophic-injury and wrongful-death cases in Utah. We believe that professional sports teams should be the safest places for young athletes, not the most dangerous.
Ralph P. Manginello is our Managing Partner. Licensed for over 27 years, Ralph was a journalist before he became a lawyer, and he was a championship-winning athlete himself. He understands the competitive fire of an athlete and the betrayal felt when that fire is used against a teammate. He is a member of the Trial Lawyers Achievement Association and hates losing.
Lupe Peña is our Associate Attorney. Before joining our firm to fight for the injured, Lupe spent years as an insurance-defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how adjusters value these claims and the delay tactics they use to try and wear families down. Lupe is fluent in Spanish and conducts full consultations in Spanish without an interpreter.
We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Our fee is 33.33% before trial and 40% if we go to trial. We have recovered over $50,000,000 for our clients because we treat every case as a fight for a family’s future.
Whether you were hurt in a locker room or a workplace accident lawyer situation, the truth is your strongest weapon. We help you use it.
Hablamos Español.
Past results depend on the facts of each case and do not guarantee future outcomes. Contacting the firm is free and confidential; this information is for educational purposes and is not legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue a professional sports team if I was a minor at the time?
Yes. Under Utah law, the statute of limitations for claims involving minors is typically “tolled,” which means the clock does not start ticking until you turn 18. This gives survivors years to come forward after they have reached adulthood and are safe from retaliation.
What if my coach was in the room but didn’t participate?
A coach who watches hazing and does nothing is just as liable as the participants. They have a “duty of care” as a supervisor. Under the SafeSport Act, they also have a federal mandate to report abuse involving minors. Their silence is evidence of negligence.
How do you prove “lost earnings” for an athlete who was only 16?
We use sports industry experts and forensic economists to look at your performance data, your contract, and the typical career arc of an MLS player. We build a model of what your career likely would have earned you over 10 to 15 years, including endorsements and potential transfers.
Does hazing count as sexual abuse in a civil lawsuit?
In many cases, yes. When hazing involves the exposure of genitals, forced nakedness, or non-consensual sexual contact, the law treats it as sexualized abuse. This opens the door to broader damage categories and removes the ability for the team to call it a “harmless prank.”
Can the team be held responsible for what players do on their own time?
If the conduct happened at a team training facility, during a road trip, or as part of a “team tradition,” the team is usually on the hook. The law looks at whether the team created the environment that allowed the abuse to happen.
What is the SafeSport Act?
The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and SafeSport Authorization Act of 2017 is a federal law that requires adult members of amateur and professional sports organizations to report suspected child abuse to local law enforcement or a designated agency immediately.
What evidence should I save if I’m being hazed?
Save every text message, every social media post, and every photo. If there are witnesses you trust, write down their names. Do not delete your search history or your messages — even if you are ashamed. That data is the key to your case.
What if I’m worried about my immigration status?
Your right to be safe from abuse and your right to sue for your injuries do not depend on your immigration status. Our firm handles these cases with total confidentiality. Lupe Peña can speak with you directly in Spanish to ensure your rights are protected without an interpreter.
How much does it cost to start a lawsuit?
With us, it costs nothing up front. We handle all the costs of the investigation, the experts, and the filing fees. We only take a percentage of the final settlement or verdict. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us anything.
If you are ready to stand up, call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.