William Lowe, one of the 13 University of Iowa football players who was hospitalized following a high-intensity workout in 2011, has filed a lawsuit against the school Monday in Johnson County district court for sustaining long-term damage.
The former Hawkeyes cornerback of Cleveland claims that coaches and trainers improperly supervised the January 20, 2011, workout and failed to provide medical care after complaints of severe leg pain, stiffness and abnormally dark urine. These symptoms are usually typical after a workout.
Despite the health reports, all the players were required to participate in a mandatory intensive workout the following day focusing on their upper body muscles. After another mandatory workout Jan. 24, Lowe and others were all hospitalized one by one and were diagnosed with exertional rhabdomyolysis, a condition that can cause kidney failure.
Although Lowe spent several days in the hospital, the effects of the workout remained including weight loss, pain in the lower back and legs, headaches and high blood pressure over the next several months. The 24-year-old suffered mental and physical pain and torture due to the injuries and ongoing expenses for medical care, therapy, drugs and other treatment.
"The injuries and damages sustained by Plaintiff William Lowe ... arose from the same general types of danger that Defendant should have avoided through safe and proper athletic training and supervision," Lowe's lawsuit reads, Sports Illustrated reports.
Lowe blames the school for developing a hazardous 'improper training program.' Through the lawsuit, the football player is seeking unspecified damages for suffering physical and mental harm, ESPN reports.
According to an investigative committee report commissioned by the school, the workout held about once in three years is conducted to gauge physical stamina; mental toughness and helps athletes earn a place on the team.
The most taxing part of the workout is the 100 back squats players were required to do. A study by University of Iowa doctors last year concluded that back squats significantly increased the risk of rhabdomyolysis.
The incident caused a huge public uproar and prompted the university to eliminate that workout. It also forced the institute to introduce methods that help identify players suffering from health conditions during workouts and practices.
The University cleared the trainers and coaches of misconduct as the injuries were accidental. Meanwhile, all the players were also medically cleared to return to the squad; however, Lowe never rejoined the team.