Tim Hague, a 34-year old father and teacher, died in June 2017 after getting knocked out in a boxing match.Neil Davidson/The Canadian Press
The City of Edmonton has denied any involvement or responsibility in the death of a man following a boxing match two years ago.
In a statement of defence filed in response to a lawsuit by the family of Tim Hague, the city says the fighter signed a liability waiver prior to the fight in June 2017.
It says Hague acknowledged he “waived all liabilities to the promoter, facility, local boxing commission and local civil authorities” if he suffered any injury or loss while fighting.
A statement of claim was filed in June in the Court of Queen’s Bench against the city, the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission and several people involved in the event, alleging Hague’s death was caused by gross negligence.
Hague, a 34-year old father and teacher, died June 16, 2017, after getting knocked out in the ring during a match with Adam Braidwood.
Hague’s lawyers argued the defendants owed a “duty of care” to Hague to ensure that he was in a “safe and fit condition to participate in combative sports.”
“There’s further questions that waiver protected gross negligence or even criminal negligence, which I also don’t think it did,” said the Hague family’s lawyer, Ari Schacter.
A city spokesperson said in an email that the statement of defence speaks for itself and the city has nothing further to add.
A report into Hague’s death recommended the city improve fighter safety and oversight.
It said some Edmonton Sports Combative Commission rules were not followed before the event, including medical information on the fighters not being provided to physicians.
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