LOS ANGELES — Former Southern California running back Stafon Johnson has sued the university and an assistant conditioning coach for negligence in the weight-room accident that crushed his throat in 2009.
Johnson’s suit filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court seeks unspecified damages.
Johnson was bench-pressing 275 pounds in the USC weight room when the bar dropped or fell onto his neck.
His throat and larynx were crushed and he required reconstructive surgery.
The suit says Johnson suffered permanent injuries and loss of future earnings.
A USC statement says the school believes it wasn’t at fault and calls the lawsuit disappointing.
Johnson played for the Tennessee Titans in the 2010 NFL preseason but was sidelined by a game injury.