Court Awards Paralyzed Player $3.93 Million

Todd Hart, a former Cal State Long Beach defensive back who was paralyzed by a neck injury suffered during a 1982 football game against UCLA, was awarded a $3.93-million settlement Wednesday by Alhambra Superior Court Judge Gabriel Gutierrez.

Primary defendants in the case were the State of California and the Los Angeles-based Schutt Manufacturing Co., which made the face guard Hart was wearing during his collision with UCLA’s Jojo Townsell and teammate Darrell Pattillo.

“The face guard dug into the turf,” Hart’s attorney, Thomas V. Girardi, said. “Todd was impacted, and by digging into the turf, the face guard did not have the ability to release.”

Hart was initially paralyzed from the neck down, but he has since regained limited movement in his arms and legs. He is still wheelchair-bound and undergoing therapy.

Girardi contended the State failed to provide adequate medical insurance after the accident.

Girardi also contended that Hart was improperly handled by team personnel as he lay injured on the Rose Bowl field, which the attorney said falls under the State’s responsibility because Long Beach is part of the California school system.

“We’re very happy with the result because this type of case is frequently lost,” Girardi said. “We’re also very happy that Todd will have financial security.”

Hart, who attended Servite High School, was unavailable for comment.