Paralyzed Jiu-Jitsu Student Wins $56 Million Lawsuit Against Instructor

Published: June 6, 2025

A California man, Jack Greener, has been awarded a significant amount of $56 million in damages following a devastating spinal cord injury he sustained during a jiu-jitsu class in 2018.

Greener, who was 23 years old at the time, was left paralyzed from the neck down after his instructor, Francisco Iturralde, a second-degree black belt, placed his full body weight on him while sparring, crushing his cervical vertebrae.

The incident occurred at Del Mar Jiu-Jitsu Club, where Greener was a beginner white belt, and Iturralde, 33, was his instructor. The injury left Greener quadriplegic and he spent several months in the hospital, where he suffered multiple strokes during treatment.

A jury initially awarded Greener $46,475,112.33 in damages in 2023, but the defendants appealed the verdict. However, on June 3, the California Supreme Court declined to overturn the verdict, and the amount now exceeds $56 million after post-judgment interest.

Greener Recalls the Incident

In a video shared on YouTube in 2022, Greener recalled the incident, saying: "When it occurred, the first thought that came to mind was, 'I'm going to be okay,' and then the second thought was, 'Oh s---, I can't move.' "

Iturralde, who began practicing jiu-jitsu at 13, is known for his "dynamic, aggressive grappling style," which earned him the nickname "Sinistro," meaning "Sinister."

The jury determined that Iturralde's actions "unreasonably increased the risks" to his student "beyond those inherent in Brazilian jiu-jitsu" and that instructors may be held liable for "negligent conduct."

Rahul Ravipudi, one of Greener's attorneys, praised the final ruling, saying it "cements a critical legal victory not only for our client, but also for injured athletes across California by reaffirming that sports instructors and facilities may be held accountable when they unreasonably increase risks beyond those inherent in the sport."