Apr 20, 2017
NHL linesman Henderson files $10.25M lawsuit against Wideman, Flames
Official was hit from behind by Calgary defenceman during a game in January of 2016 against the Nashville Predators. More from TSN Senior Correspondent Rick Westhead on this developing story.
(Updated: 6:07pm et) - National Hockey League linesman Don Henderson has filed a $10.25 million lawsuit against Calgary Flames defenceman Dennis Wideman more than a year after Wideman hit Henderson from behind during a game against the Nashville Predators.
CTV News and TSN have learned that Henderson filed his lawsuit against Wideman on Apr. 18 in a Calgary court.
Henderson seeks general damages of $200,000, special damages to pay for housekeeping, yard work and hospital expenses of $50,000, and damages for loss of income and future loss of income of $10 million.
The Flames are also listed as a defendant.
According to his lawsuit, Henderson suffered injuries to his head, neck back, shoulder, and right knee. He also allegedly suffered a concussion, pain, numbness and tingling in his right arm and hand, shock anxiety and depression, headaches and permanent and partial disability.
None of the allegations have been proven in court. No statements of defence have been filed. A Flames spokesperson did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment.
Wideman hit Henderson during a Jan. 27, 2016, game in Calgary. Wideman was suspended by the league for 20 games as a result of the incident, the second-longest suspension in league history for abusing an official.
The NHL said in a video explaining the discipline that Wideman was diagnosed with a concussion after that game, but that his being disoriented was no excuse for “the nature and severity of the offence he committed on the ice.”
After an independent arbitrator reduced Wideman’s suspension to 10 games, the NHL went to court in New York in an attempt to vacate the arbitrator’s decision. The league lost that court battle on March 15.
In his lawsuit, Henderson’s lawyer wrote that he “has suffered a limitation of activities and loss of enjoyment of life, and will continue to suffer a limitation of activities and enjoyment of life.”
Henderson has incurred expenses related to medical care and treatment, prescription medication and other medical supplies, hospital expenses, and other damages, his lawyers claim.
“The Plaintiff has been and continues to be unable and restricted in the ability to work as he has yet to get cleared to officiate National Hockey League games, thereby resulting in a loss of income in an amount to be determined at the trial of this action,” the filing says.
According to his lawsuit, Henderson suffered injuries to his head, neck back, shoulder, and right knee. He also allegedly suffered a concussion, pain, numbness and tingling in his right arm and hand, shock anxiety and depression, headaches and permanent and partial disability.
The government of Alberta is also listed as a plaintiff in the case.
“The Plaintiff, the Queen, claims for the cost of health services provided to the Plaintiff, or which will likely be provided to the Plaintiff in the future for the injuries suffered as a result of the wrongful acts or omission of the Defendants as alleged…”
According to the statement of claim, the government has asked the court to order Wideman and the Flames to cover the cost of in-patient and out-patient services provided in a hospital, dental surgery services, optometric services, chiropractic services, services provided by a podiatrist, mental health services, drug services, or any goods or services provided by a health service.